Dennis Jones / Photo from Facebook
BY CHANTELLE NAVARRO
Homicide Watch Chicago
Dennis Jones spent Christmas Day making pizza and watching television with his daughter.
The 52-year-old Austin neighborhood resident was shot dead later that night during a domestic dispute at his sister’s North Lawndale home.
Prosecutors said Jones and his two brothers had gotten into an ongoing dispute over the care of their recently deceased mother. On Christmas night, one of the brothers, 29-year-old Lorenzo Jones, opened fire during a family gathering in the 1900 block of South Trumbull Avenue — killing Dennis Jones and wounding his 42-year-old brother, prosecutors said.
Lorenzo Jones, of Iowa City, was charged with first-degree murder and is being held without bond while he awaits trial.
Earlier that day, Dennis Jones and his daughter, 25-year-old Denise Jones, watched “Roots” and discussed the mini-series and slavery.
“The last thing he said to me was, ‘Baby call me when you get the chance, I love you,’” Denise Jones said.
Dennis Jones had served 17 years in prison and was released about a year ago, according to his daughter, who said he was attending church and was looking for a job.
Denise Jones said her father tried to make up for lost time with his family. She said he would frequently cook meals for her, give her relationship advice and encourage her to achieve her life goals.
Denise Jones says one of the things she will remember most about her father is his personality.
“He was a jokester. He always liked to play around and talk,” Denise Jones said.