BEAUMONT, Texas — A Beaumont man originally held on a $1 million bond in connection with the shooting death of his brother-in-law has been released from jail a little more than 12 hours after the shooting.
Raymond Ford, 28, was arrested and originally held on the charge in the shooting death of Valerie Jacob King, 19, also of Beaumont, according to a news release from the Beaumont Police Department.
Police were initially called at about 11:15 p.m. Tuesday night about a reported traffic accident in the 4300 block of South 4th Street but on arrival discovered there had been a shooting the release said.
King was pronounced dead on the scene.
Investigators determined that the shooting stemmed from a family disturbance and arrested Ford based on probable cause from the scene according to updated news release from police.
Ford was released from jail early Wednesday afternoon been released “in the interest of justice and with guidance from the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office” the updated news release said.
The investigation which is now described as “complex” is continuing although the bond and charges have been withdrawn at this time according to a police spokesperson.
The initial probable cause the investigators used to initially charge Ford is not negated by his release and the case must still go before a grand jury which could still indict him in for the fatal shooting according to police.
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This is a developing story. We will update with more if and when we receive more confirmed information.
From an updated Beaumont Police Department news release…
On Tuesday, April 7, 2020 at 11:13 p.m., Beaumont Police responded to 4365 S. 4th in reference to a traffic accident. When Officers arrived they discovered a shooting had occurred as a result of a family disturbance.
An adult male was pronounced deceased on the scene. The victim has been identified as 19 year old Valerie Jacob King.
The suspect is 28 year old Raymond Ford, who is the brother-in-law of the victim. Both victim and suspect are Beaumont residents.
Investigation on scene presented probable cause that led to Ford being taken into custody and transported to the Jefferson County Jail, charged with Murder.
As the investigation continued, in the interest of justice and with guidance from the Jefferson County District Attorney’s Office, Ford is being released from jail, while this complex investigation continues.
This does not negate the probable cause that existed for the arrest and upon completion of the investigation, the case will ultimately be presented to a Grand Jury.
From the original Beaumont Police Department news release...
On Tuesday, April 7, 2020 at 11:13 p.m., Beaumont Police responded to 4365 S. 4th in reference to a traffic accident.
When Officers arrived they discovered a shooting had occurred as a result of a family disturbance.
An adult male was pronounced deceased on the scene. The victim has been identified as 19 year old Valerie Jacob King.
The suspect is 28 year old Raymond Ford, who is the brother-in-law of the victim. Both victim and suspect are Beaumont residents.
Ford was taken into custody at the scene then transported to the Jefferson County Jail, charged with Murder.
(EDITOR'S NOTE: A previous version of this story incorrectly said Ford was arrested in connection with the death of his sister-in-law.)
