In the small city of Hugo, Oklahoma, the life of a beloved father and friend was cut tragically short, leaving a community in shock and searching for answers. On the night of Monday, November 15, 2021, 34-year-old Phillip Jones was found deceased in the backyard of a residence in the 800 block of West First Street. He had sustained fatal gunshot wounds in an act of violence that prompted an intensive investigation.
Jones, born on February 7, 1987, in Hugo, was a man known for his kind
and generous nature. A graduate of Hugo High School in 2005, he was a loving father to his daughter, Sonaya, and his son, Kadyn. Those who knew him recall a man quick with a joke or a smile, someone who could brighten any room. He was a familiar and encouraging presence at his son's little league games and cherished spending time with his daughter. His sudden and violent death left a void in the lives of his family and the many friends he had made throughout his life.
The Hugo Police Department quickly sought the assistance of the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation to unravel the circumstances of the homicide. Their investigation led them to identify two juvenile suspects. One of those suspects, 17-year-old Sacarious Holman, was arrested in December 2021 and charged as an adult with first-degree murder. The investigation also identified a second juvenile of Native American descent, which brought the Federal Bureau of Investigation into the case due to the McGirt Supreme Court ruling regarding tribal jurisdiction.
Ultimately, Sacarious Holman faced justice for his role in Phillip Jones's death. In September 2023, the 18-year-old was sentenced to 30 years in prison for the second-degree murder of Jones. While the legal proceedings brought a measure of closure, the community continues to mourn the loss of a man remembered for the jovial light he brought into the world.
