GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — An 18-year-old man was charged in a deadly shooting from last month out of Grand Rapids. Police say the death came after the suspect and victim spent days negotiating a gun for shoes swap.
Darrius Jones was arraigned on counts of open murder and felony firearm on December 8. Jones is accused of shooting and killing Amari Hodges on November 12.
Grand Rapids
Young man shot, killed Wednesday night in Grand Rapids
“I hope this arrest brings some measure of comfort and healing to Amari’s family and loved ones,” said Grand Rapids Police Chief Eric Winstrom. “Our detectives’ excellent work to close this case swiftly means that they have the answers they need.”
Hodges was found shot in a vehicle that crashed near the intersection of Hall Street and Kalamazoo Avenue by officers who heard gunfire in the area. The 22-year-old was unconscious and bleeding when officers pulled him from the car, according to court documents.
Hodges was declared dead at the scene, but investigators could not say if he was shot while driving or if he'd been trying to drive for help after being shot.
Crime scene technicians recovered a single spent shell casing from a 9mm firearm along with a bag of marijuana in the road just north of the intersection, per court records.
Investigators later found Hodges had been communicating with another person on Facebook, planning to meet up with them on Kalamazoo Avenue to sell marijuana. Police determined Jones was that other person, court records show.
Three days before the shooting, Jones sent Hodges a message saying he would trade a handgun for a pair of shoes. The two went back and forth over the deal, finally settling on a sale of marijuana on November 12, per court records.
The last messages of Hodges saying he arrived at the agreed meet-up spot, and Jones confirming he was on his way, cam at 8:45 p.m.
Seven minutes later, police officers heard the gun shot, according to court records.
Detectives got warrants for several social media pages for Jones. One Snapchat account showed Jones was in the area and then immediately left after the shot was fired, according to police.
In a series of messages between Jones and his girlfriend, the couple discussed how the 18-year-old could get out of the area safely, per court records.
Investigators told the court Jones was the only person Hodges met with before he was killed.
His death was the 13th homicide of 2025 in Grand Rapids.
While a suspect is being charged in the case, police ask anyone with information about it is asked to call Grand Rapids Police detectives at (616) 456-3380. Anonymous tips can also be submitted to Silent Observer.
