PRINCE JONES FACT SHEET

The Prince Carmen Jones, Jr. Scholarship project was birthed out a
mother's desire to memorialize the life of her son. Prince Jones was a
student at Howard University when his life was abruptly ended in a case of
mistaken identity. Gunned down by a black cop on September 1, 2000,
Prince became yet another victim of being young and being black in PG
County which was notorious for police brutality.
Sixteen years later, the memory of Prince Carmen Jones, Jr. fades as
police brutality explodes in our country. Honoring Prince's life is an
important goal of the scholarship project. Perhaps equally important is
encouraging today's students to wake up to the issues that existed when
Prince was murdered and still exists today.
The scholarship will provide a full-ride to the recipient to attend
Howard University. A lofty goal, but necessary one. Fulfilling Prince's
mother, Dr. Jones' desire to help change the trajectory of another's life will
perhaps make Prince's death not in vain.
On Howard Universitys campus, Prince was known for good grades
and he often led class discussions. Many of the peers, advisers, and teacher
knew Prince, because of the soul-searching dialogues he was often a part of.
Known for his devout faith and narrow behavior, he didn't do drugs and
rarely drank. He wanted people to see the God in him.
On September 1, 2000-- Prince Jones narrative would quickly be
defined for him. He was shot by a Prince Georges police officer. Carlton
Jones, the police officer, shot Prince Jones 16 times. Prince Jones had six
bullets in his body and five in his back.
The cop who shot Prince was in an unmarked car, and wasn't wearing
a uniform. According to his own testimony, he cornered Prince's car pulled
out a gun--but no badge--and IDed himself as an officer. Prince, whose
vehicle was hemmed in, rammed the cops car. The cop shot him and he died.
The officer was presumably in pursuit of a "suspect." But the suspect looked
nothing like Prince, except that they were both black.

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Ta-Nehisi Coates is establishing a scholarship fund for Howard University
students in honor of his former classmate, Prince Carmen Jones Jr. The
inaugural event took place in October at Howard Universitys homecoming.

 Prince Jones grew up far from the world of drugs and violence, in the
instant of his death he became a symbol of police brutality, presumed racial
profiling, and the faded promise of the black-led government of a majorityblack county.
Prince Jones death taught many people that police brutality extended
beyond inner cities and low-income neighborhoods. Prince Jones grew up in
the suburbs and was an unlikely candidate to die in such a manner.

______________________________________________________________________________
Ta-Nehisi Coates is establishing a scholarship fund for Howard University
students in honor of his former classmate, Prince Carmen Jones Jr. The
inaugural event took place in October at Howard Universitys homecoming.