A Maryland man is accused of killing his 4-year-old son on Christmas Eve after an argument with the boy’s mother. The tragic incident occurred in the family’s Rosedale home when the child, Jacobi Jones, asked his father to leave the room during the dispute. In response, Mark Jones allegedly retrieved a handgun and shot Jacobi in the head, killing him in front of his mother. The mother, Promyss Marcelle, was also shot in the head, but she survived the attack. Additionally, their 1-year-old daughter was shot in the shoulder but survived as well.
Marcelle shared her grief in a GoFundMe post, describing the pain of losing her son as unbearable. She recalled that Jacobi had been excited to open his Christmas presents that morning but tragically never got the chance. In her account, she described the agony of losing her son, noting how she had told him to wait before opening the gifts, but he never had the opportunity to do so.
The shooting took place around 6:30 a.m. on Christmas Eve. Police arrived at the scene to find Marcelle and her two children with apparent gunshot wounds. They were transported to a nearby hospital, where Jacobi was pronounced dead. Jones, who survived an apparent suicide attempt after the shooting, is now facing multiple charges, including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, child abuse, and assault.
Court documents reveal a history of domestic violence in the relationship between Jones and Marcelle. Jones had been previously charged with assault using a firearm in May 2023, to which he pleaded guilty to second-degree assault. He was sentenced to probation. Additionally, a temporary restraining order was issued against him in January 2023 for domestic violence, but the charge was dismissed shortly thereafter for unknown reasons.
Marcelle expressed the difficulty of leaving an abusive relationship, even when it is clear that it is not healthy. She emphasized the importance of taking her story as a cautionary tale, as she had been forced to leave but at the cost of losing her son. Despite the challenges of leaving an abusive partner, Marcelle urges others to consider their safety and well-being, as no one should have to endure violence in the home.
The tragic death of Jacobi Jones has left a community in mourning, with many reflecting on the devastating consequences of domestic violence. The loss of a young child in such a senseless and violent manner highlights the importance of addressing domestic violence and providing support to those affected. The case continues to unfold as Mark Jones faces serious charges and the family grapples with the unimaginable loss.
