Jared Allen Holmes, a 32-year-old Black man from Altus, Oklahoma, was found dead on August 20, 2017, in a case that authorities would later describe as a homicide. His death was the result of a calculated and violent act that began with a deceptive phone call. Holmes, a well-known and beloved figure in his community, was a barber, a DJ, and a devoted father to his children.
His sudden disappearance and subsequent death sent shockwaves through the small town.
The investigation into Holmes's death began when he was reported missing. Friends and family grew concerned when they were unable to contact him. The search for Holmes ended tragically when his body was discovered in rural Tillman County, revealing that he had been the victim of gun violence. The Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation was called in to assist the Altus Police Department in unraveling the circumstances surrounding his murder.
Investigators quickly identified two suspects in connection with the crime: Kenyone D’Marce Jones and Brontae Ja-Rel Hill. According to authorities, the series of events leading to Holmes's death was set in motion when he was lured from his home by a phone call. Unbeknownst to him, this was a setup. After leaving his residence, Holmes was ambushed, shot, and his body was then transported to Tillman County, where it was later found. The motive for the murder was determined to be a 'drug rip,' a robbery involving drugs.
Following an intensive investigation, law enforcement officials were able to track down and apprehend both suspects. Kenyone D’Marce Jones was the first to be arrested, located at a residence in Altus. Shortly after, Brontae Ja-Rel Hill was also taken into custody, found at another location within the city. The arrests brought a sense of relief to a community on edge, as they awaited justice for a man whose life had been violently cut short.
