Mother seeks justice in son’s shooting death

ST. LOUIS COUNTY, Mo. – The Jenkins family fought back tears to address a judge in a St. Louis County courtroom Tuesday morning, asking the judge to increase the bond for Jonathan Jenkins’ suspected killer.

“It’s crazy because I watched my son take his first breath—I watched my son take his last breath. I only had my son for 22 years, four months, and nine days. It’s not fair,” Jonathan’s mother, Myzonia Jenkins, said.

Jonathan Jenkins died after being shot at a Northwoods home on September 3.

“My son was sweet, he was kind, he was very funny, (and) down to earth. My son could sing, he could dance, and he loved his family, especially. Jonathan was the type of kid who would give you the shirt off his back,” Myzonia said.

An avid Cardinals fan, Jonathan was admired by his tightknit family.

“Jonathan has the most beautiful smile. He’s the most bright person. He cared about everyone. He made sure everyone was happy and Jonathan was special,” Jonathan’s sister, Sirenity Jenkins, said.

According to the Northwoods Police incident report, Jonathan was shot while rough housing with another person. The report says someone told police “he racked the slide of the handgun and observed a round ejected from the chamber and then dropped the magazine out of the handgun.”

He then shot Jonathan in the head. Myzonia said her son survived for 18 hours after he was shot. Santez Boyd was originally charged with 2nd degree assault.

Boyd’s family approached the Jenkins’ outside the courtroom Tuesday to apologize.

“There’s nothing I can do to take your pain, but I really do want to sincerely apologize for my son’s choices.”

Once Jonathan died from his injuries, the charge was changed from assault to involuntary manslaughter. But Myzonia said that still does not go far enough.

“You pulled it at my son’s head. That’s not an accident. It’s different if it would’ve fallen on the floor or something, but you intentionally pointed it at my son’s head. That’s not an accident. You thought about it,” she said.

She says this should be a murder case.

The incident report states that the owner of the firearm told police he warned about the gun being loaded “moments before” Jonathan was struck in the head.

A spokesperson for the St. Louis County Prosecuting Attorney’s office sent FOX 2 the following statement:

“This case remains under active investigation. The charges we have filed are appropriate based on the existing evidence. Additional evidence can always change our charging decision. That said, we regret the loss of Jonathan Jenkins’ life. Also, we want to remind the public: if you are handling firearms, it is best to be trained and always take every precaution to be safe. Guns are not toys.”

Tuesday, a judge did increase Boyd’s bond to $100,000 now that Boyd is charged with involuntary manslaughter.

Myzonia is grateful for the new bond but says she still wants to see more accountability.

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