Cuatez MaHad Jones was 16 when he was found fatally shot on June 20, 2020, on a path near the Milledgeville Manor apartment complex in Milledgeville, Georgia. Known as Tez, he was described as a son, brother, and friend who enjoyed dancing, fishing, and cutting hair. First responders pronounced him dead at the scene.

The Baldwin County Sheriff’s Office investigated and arrested 20-year-old Dequanis Parks ten days later in Newton County; Parks was charged with murder and two counts of aggravated assault. Prosecutors said Parks had traveled to Milledgeville, confronted Jones in a vacant lot, and shot him, and a witness who had been with Jones identified Parks at trial. Parks also faced additional jail-time charges for obstruction and interference while awaiting trial.

In November 2021 a jury found Dequanis Parks not guilty on all counts, leaving the killing of Cuatez Jones unresolved for his family and community. If anyone knew Cuatez or has information about what happened that day, please share what can help the investigation.