CLEVELAND — The family of a 40-year-old mother shot and killed after a birthday party Saturday said she was shot in the back after telling a passing car to slow down because kids were playing nearby.
The Cuyahoga County Medical Examiner's Office identified the victim as 40-year-old Christina Jones.
"It doesn't make any sense at all," said Jones' cousin Roberta Lucas. "What's wrong with a person telling you to slow down?"
Cleveland police said they were called to the intersection of East 67th Street and Worely around 10:45 p.m. Saturday night.
Officers learned on scene that Jones was involved in a verbal altercation with a passenger of a vehicle that was speeding in the area. Officers were told that the vehicle almost struck a child and when the vehicle stopped at the intersection of East 67th Street and Worley, the passenger and Jones exchanged words, police said.
The passenger then exited the vehicle and fired a shot, which struck Jones in the back, according to police.
She died at the hospital, police said.
Lucas said Jones was leaving a birthday party for her niece and was about to get in her car when the attack happened.
"Christina, she's a happy person. She's giving, she's friendly, she's not an aggressive or violent person," Lucas said. "We know every day people fly down side streets and everything. She was just letting them know, slow down, there's kids out here. You almost hit somebody."
Lucas said Jones' daughter was inside the house just feet away when her mother was shot.
"It doesn't make any sense at all," Lucas said. "What's wrong with a person telling you to slow down? I'm sure the person's got kids of their own. They would have done the same thing."
Lucas hopes somebody with information about the shooting will come forward and call police.
"They got mad and aggressive and they shot my cousin the back," Lucas said. "What kind of person does that? Over words? That's some sad stuff. Sad and ignorant."
Anyone with information in the case is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 216-252-7463.
RELATED: 40-year-old woman shot, killed after apparent road rage incident in Cleveland
