Four-year-old shot while sleeping in Phenix City apartment; suspect arrested on attempted murder charges
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- Four-year-old shot in head while sleeping; suspect Youhan Jones Jr. arrested on attempted murder charges.
- Two women charged with hindering prosecution for allegedly assisting suspect's escape from police.
A man has been arrested after a four-year-old girl was shot in the head while sleeping inside an apartment late Sunday, according to the Phenix City Police Department.
Police said officers responded on March 15, 2026, to a reported shooting at the Whispering Pines Apartments located at 1200 12th Street. When officers arrived, they discovered a four-year-old female who had been shot in the head while she slept.
Investigators identified the suspect as Youhan Jones Jr., who was reportedly in a dating relationship with the child’s mother.
Y. Jones
Authorities said the apartment was occupied by four other people at the time of the shooting, including two additional children. No other injuries were reported.
During the investigation, officers worked to locate Jones and arrested two individuals accused of helping him avoid arrest. Police said Vantasia Mayes, a female friend of Jones, and Stephanie Ward, Jones’ mother, were both charged with first-degree hindering prosecution for allegedly assisting him while he was being sought by investigators.
Ward
Mayes
On March 16, police arrested Jones. He is now facing five counts of attempted murder and one count of shooting into an occupied dwelling.
Authorities say the investigation remains ongoing. Anyone with information about the case is asked to contact investigators with the Phenix City Police Department.
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