A small memorial has been set up near the site of Jones' death Monday. Photo: Emilie Raguso
A small memorial has been set up near the site of Jones’ death Monday. Photo: Emilie Raguso
A small memorial has been set up near the site of Jones’ death Monday. Photo: Emilie Raguso

Police have released the name of Berkeley’s first homicide victim of 2013, identifying him late Wednesday afternoon as Zontee Jones, 34, of Berkeley.

Jones was killed shortly after 11 a.m. Monday on Delaware Street just west of San Pablo Avenue in west Berkeley. Witnesses said he was shot while walking down the street, and that a gold-colored car that may have been connected to the crime sped off afterward.

Capt. Andrew Greenwood of the Berkeley Police Department said investigators have been working on this case “virtually non-stop since Monday morning when it occurred.”

Photo: Emilie Raguso
Photo: Emilie Raguso

“We don’t have any information to share at this point regarding the circumstances of the incident, as the investigation is active and ongoing,” Greenwood said Wednesday, via email.

A woman who identified herself as the victim’s girlfriend told the Oakland Tribune that Jones lived in Berkeley and Richmond, and worked as a maintenance man at her apartment building on Delaware.

Photo: Emilie Raguso
Photo: Emilie Raguso

Police ask anyone with information about the incident to call the department’s homicide detectives at 510-981-5741, or the department’s non-emergency number, 510-981-5900. Tipsters who wish to  remain anonymous can call the Bay Area Crimes Stoppers at 800-222-TIPS (8477).

Related:
Man shot dead in Berkeley, first homicide of 2013 [02.04.13]

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Emilie Raguso (former senior editor, news) joined Berkeleyside in 2012 and covered politics, public safety and development until her departure in 2022. In 2017, Emilie was named Journalist of the Year...