Community left stunned after assistant pastor and spouse found dead from gunshot wounds

crime

Nov 25

Article By Tabitha Arnold // EEW Magazine // News

The shooting deaths of Eric and LaRhonda Jones of Waterbury, CT have left the community stunned, but mystery still surrounds the fatal shooting.

According to a Monday report from the Hartford Courant, the medical examiner’s office said its conclusion about how they died last Thursday could be up to eight weeks away.

LaRhonda and Eric Jones, a Christian married couple, were found shot dead in their condo in Connecticut (Credit: Facebook)

Police said Eric Jones, 54, a retired New Haven police officer, and LaRhonda Jones, 48, an assistant pastor at RIM City Church in New Haven, were found dead from apparent gunshot wounds in the bedroom of their condo when police arrived. Investigators found a gun on the scene, but city police reported no developments in the case.

"She had a huge presence,” said LaRhonda’s friend Jennifer Whiten in an interview with WFSB in Connecticut, who called the deceased selfless and willing to be there in times of need.

“Her spirit was just a welcoming spirit, everybody gravitated towards her. Everybody just loved her. It's just a shock," said Jennifer.

RIM City Church, where LaRhonda served, is a multicultural and non-denominational ministry, according to its website. Its goal is to help others “form an authentic relationship with Jesus, instead of just experiencing the effects of religion,” says the site.

Now members of RIM City Church and loved ones are left mourning a tragic loss. Detectives have not yet released further information, and the medical examiner’s office warned against expecting a quick decision about the cause of the deaths.

LaRhonda, a domestic violence survivor, failed to show up for work on Thursday morning, prompting someone there to ask Waterbury police to check on her. The officers who went to the condo found the victims dead.

LaRhonda was happily married and gushed about her husband Eric who she wed on March 10, 2018. In a May 4, 2018 Facebook post, LaRhonda called Eric, a “perfect example of a man and husband.”

Her sweet open letter said, “You are one of God’s greatest blessings to me. Thank you for choosing me to be your good thing. I am blessed to have you as my husband. You are so dope. Thank you for putting up with me. Thank you for your endless patience. Thank you for taking care of everything. Thank you for working so hard for us. For going to work day after day to make things happen for us. It is not going unnoticed. For going out there and doing your best despite the frustrations and obstacles.”

She ended the message by saying, “I don’t have the words to express what an awesome husband you are but I love you with my whole heart. Forever and always devoted to you. Your wife Rhonda.”

Eric, who served on the police force for 20 years before retiring in 2012 referred to his 2018 marriage as a “fresh start.”

Just weeks ago, he celebrated his birthday. On Facebook he said, “God has blessed me to see another year,” adding, “Special thanks to my wife for making the day great...Love you sweetheart.”

It would be the last birthday he celebrated.