In the early morning hours of March 4, 2026, a shooting in San Francisco's South of Market neighborhood claimed the life of 43-year-old Carl "CJ" Jones Jr. The incident occurred at approximately 1:31 a.m. in the 100 block of Sixth Street. Jones was transported to a hospital where he succumbed to his injuries.
Investigators quickly identified a suspect in the fatal shooting. Within eight hours of the incident, police arrested 33-year-old Siaosi Aleamotuay.
Surveillance footage reportedly captured the events, showing Aleamotuay retrieving a backpack, taking out a gun, crossing the street, and shooting Jones, who appeared to be unarmed. The San Francisco District Attorney's Office has since charged Aleamotuay with murder, including an allegation of personal use of a deadly firearm, and being a felon in possession of a firearm. The motive for the shooting has not been publicly released.
Known as "CJ" to his friends and family, Jones was remembered for his ready joke and smile. He grew up in San Francisco's Fillmore neighborhood and faced significant challenges in his early life, including periods of housing and food insecurity. Despite these hardships, he was a bright student, earning a 4.0 GPA in school with a particular aptitude for reading and English. He tragically lost his father at 16 and his mother at 18, leading to time spent in the foster care system. Jones was a resident of the Henry Hotel on Sixth Street and was a loving owner to his dog, Teddy Graham. His sister Amelia described him as the "heart of our family," a man who, despite his struggles, "never lost his big heart" and was always loving and supportive.
