In the early morning hours of Saturday, July 25, 2026, a fatal encounter in East Lubbock tragically cut short the life of 37-year-old Stephon Jones. Lubbock Police were dispatched to a residence in the 2900 block of East Auburn Street at approximately 1:59 a.m. following reports of a shooting. Upon their arrival, officers discovered Jones with a gunshot wound. Emergency medical services were called to the scene, but Jones was pronounced dead before he could be transported to a hospital.
The investigation into the death was subsequently taken over by the Lubbock Metropolitan Special Crimes Unit. As law enforcement worked to secure the area, a large and unruly crowd began to gather, creating difficulties for investigators and prompting a response from the Lubbock Police Department's Special Response Group to maintain order and allow for the collection of evidence.
The preliminary investigation suggests that the events leading to the shooting began when Jones, accompanied by another individual, arrived at the home of 65-year-old Robert Kinney. A verbal altercation reportedly erupted between Jones and Kinney, which then escalated into a physical confrontation. It was during this altercation that Kinney is alleged to have produced a firearm and shot Jones. Following an investigation at the scene, detectives secured an arrest warrant for Kinney on a charge of murder. He was taken into custody without incident and booked into the Lubbock County Detention Center.
In the days following the shooting, further details emerged regarding the circumstances of the incident. According to Kinney's account, he was awakened by his wife after someone called to say their son was being brought home. Kinney stated that he went outside and, feeling threatened by the arrival of individuals he didn't know, fired a warning shot. He claimed that Jones then struck him in the face, causing the gun to discharge accidentally. Kinney admitted to pulling the trigger but maintained that he did not intend to harm Jones, who was unarmed. His attorney has argued that Kinney's actions were in self-defense to protect his family. Robert Kinney is being held on a $250,000 bond as the investigation continues. The case now moves through the criminal justice system, where the conflicting accounts of a tragic night will be examined to determine the events that led to the death of Stephon Jones.
