Fort Worth Man Arrested for Murder in Tragic Shooting Outside Apartment Complex — Victim Gunned Down in Front of 7-Year-Old Son
FORT WORTH, TX — A horrifying act of violence has left a family shattered and a community in mourning after Earl Bolden was fatally shot outside the Buena Vista Apartments on the night of April 21, in front of his 7-year-old son. Authorities say the man suspected in the killing, 25-year-old Javier Jones, has since been taken into custody and charged with murder.
According to the Fort Worth Police Department, officers responded to reports of a shooting at the apartment complex around 9:45 p.m. When they arrived on the scene, they found Bolden, 34, lying on the ground with a gunshot wound. Emergency responders quickly transported him to a nearby hospital, but despite life-saving efforts, he was pronounced dead.
A Dispute Turned Deadly
Preliminary investigations reveal that the fatal shooting stemmed from a verbal altercation between Bolden and Jones earlier that evening. While the precise nature of the dispute remains under investigation, it is believed that tensions escalated to violence after the two men had a confrontation near the complex.
Police say that after the disagreement, Bolden left the scene with his young son to run an errand. But when he returned to the apartments, Jones was allegedly lying in wait, emerging from an alleyway and opening fire in front of Bolden’s child.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene as terrified residents took cover and the boy screamed for help. The suspect reportedly fled the scene on foot before officers arrived, sparking a swift manhunt by authorities.
Arrest and Charges
Following an intensive search, Fort Worth police apprehended Javier Jones within hours of the shooting. He has since been booked into the Tarrant County Jail and formally charged with murder. Authorities have not yet released a motive beyond the prior argument, but they emphasized the senselessness and brutality of the act — particularly the fact that it unfolded in front of an innocent child.
A Family Devastated
Family members and community leaders are speaking out about the devastating impact of Bolden’s death, especially on his young son, who witnessed his father’s final moments. Loved ones describe Earl Bolden as a devoted father, hardworking provider, and a loyal friend who tried to stay out of trouble and focused on raising his child.
“He was a good man,” said one relative, holding back tears. “He loved his son more than anything in the world. To do this in front of his baby… it’s unforgivable.”
Grief counselors and victim services have been made available to support the boy and the family through this traumatic time. Friends of the family have started a GoFundMe page to assist with funeral costs and long-term care for Bolden’s son, who is now left without his father and forever marked by the trauma of that night.
Community Demands Justice
The crime has prompted outrage and sorrow across the Fort Worth area, with many calling for a renewed focus on preventing gun violence and resolving conflicts without bloodshed. Community organizers are now planning a vigil for Bolden, not only to honor his memory but also to rally support for stronger intervention programs that target violence before it escalates.
“The tragedy here is unbearable,” said a spokesperson for a local neighborhood watch group. “A father was murdered in front of his child. We can’t let this become just another headline. We owe it to that little boy to do better as a community.”
Moving Forward
As the legal process begins for Javier Jones, Fort Worth police urge anyone with additional information or witness accounts to come forward. Detectives are continuing their investigation and are looking into surveillance footage from nearby buildings to piece together the full sequence of events.
Meanwhile, the Bolden family grieves the loss of a beloved father and relative whose life was taken far too soon, and a young child faces the unimaginable pain of growing up without the man he called Dad.
Anyone with information related to the case is asked to contact the Fort Worth Police Homicide Unit at (817) 392-4330 or submit an anonymous tip through Crime Stoppers at (817) 469-TIPS.