Ilana Michelle Jones, a 37-year-old African American woman, tragically lost her life on February 9, 2019, in Henderson, North Carolina. Ilana was born on October 20, 1981, in Washington, District of Columbia. She was cherished by her family and friends, including her parents, Marie Jones and Mitchell McGraw.
On the night of her death, Ilana Jones was sitting in a vehicle with two other individuals in the 400 block of Charles Street at around 2 a.m.
when someone opened fire on the vehicle. Ilana sustained severe injuries and later succumbed to her wounds. The vehicle was riddled with bullet holes, and the scene was marked by 18 shell casings.
The primary suspect in Ilana Jones' murder was her ex-boyfriend, Javius Dante Perry, a 23-year-old African American man. Perry had a history of abusive behavior towards Ilana, which led to their breakup. In July 2018, Perry was charged with assault on a female after Ilana suffered a black eye and a busted lip. He was scheduled to appear in court on that charge shortly before the fatal shooting.
Following the incident, Perry was apprehended by the police in Oxford, North Carolina. He faced charges of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder. The investigation was led by the Henderson Police Department, and District Attorney Mike Waters and Assistant District Attorney Charity D. Wilborn prosecuted the case.
In September 2023, Javius Dante Perry entered a guilty plea to one count of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder. He was sentenced to 50-61 years in prison for his crimes. The tragic death of Ilana Jones serves as a stark reminder of the devastating impact of domestic violence and the importance of seeking justice for victims.
