In Loving Memory of Precious Jones

In Loving Memory of Precious Jones

Stone Mountain, Georgia — A vibrant life was tragically cut short in an act of violence that has left a community grieving and searching for answers. On a Wednesday evening, amid the everyday bustle of shoppers and families at the Memorial Bend Shopping Center along Memorial Drive, 33-year-old Precious Jones lost her life to a senseless act of gun violence. Her passing has sent shockwaves through Stone Mountain, DeKalb County, and beyond, as loved ones, friends, and community members struggle to come to terms with the sudden and heartbreaking loss.

According to the DeKalb County Police Department, Precious was shot in the parking lot of the busy shopping center, a place that moments before had been filled with ordinary routines—people running errands, sharing conversations, and going about their day. Officers arrived to find Precious suffering from an apparent gunshot wound, and despite the efforts of emergency medical personnel, she was pronounced dead at the scene. What began as an argument reportedly escalated into a fatal encounter, an outcome that underscores how quickly anger and conflict can spiral into irreversible tragedy.

Authorities later identified 23-year-old Zanbria Arrington as the accused shooter, who has since been taken into custody and charged with murder. Investigators stated that the incident does not appear to be a domestic dispute, and they spent hours reviewing surveillance footage and speaking with witnesses to piece together the events that led to Precious’s death. But for those who knew her, no explanation can fill the void left behind by her passing.

A Life Remembered

Precious Jones was more than a name in a police report or a headline in the news. She was a daughter, a friend, a loved one, and a person whose presence brought warmth and meaning to those around her. Her life was filled with moments of laughter, dreams, and shared experiences that will now live on in the memories of those who cherished her.

Friends describe Precious as someone with a bright spirit and a kind heart—someone who could light up a room with her smile and make others feel seen and valued. She carried her own struggles and ambitions, as every person does, but she also carried hope for the future and love for those around her. Her story, like so many others lost to violence, is a reminder that every life is precious and every loss is deeply personal.

A Community in Mourning

The tragedy at the Memorial Bend Shopping Center is not just a loss for Precious’s family, but for the entire Stone Mountain community. Violence in public spaces shatters the sense of safety that people rely on in their daily lives. It leaves families grieving, witnesses traumatized, and communities asking how such tragedies can be prevented.

As investigators continue their work and the legal process unfolds, the focus remains on honoring Precious’s memory and supporting those who loved her. Vigils, prayers, and messages of condolence have poured in, reflecting a shared desire to remember her not for the way she died, but for the life she lived.

A Call for Peace and Reflection

Precious Jones’s death is a painful reminder of the consequences of violence and unresolved conflict. Her story calls for reflection—on how disputes are handled, how communities can foster understanding and empathy, and how society can work toward preventing such tragedies. Every life lost to violence is one too many, and every memory deserves to be honored with compassion and resolve.

In Loving Memory

Precious Jones will be remembered for her spirit, her humanity, and the impact she had on those who knew her. Though her life was taken far too soon, her memory will endure in the hearts of her family, friends, and community. May she rest in peace, and may her loved ones find strength, comfort, and healing in the memories they shared with her.