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Gunman sentenced to 45 years in prison for murder in 2022 Greenville Avenue drive-by

Cameron Ray, 20, was fatally shot outside a nightclub in 2022. He was a college student, recovering from a basketball injury.

A man who opened fire from a rideshare outside a Greenville Avenue nightclub was convicted of murder Friday.

Aries Jones, 31, of Baton Rouge, La., was sentenced to 45 years in prison for the fatal shooting of 20-year-old Cameron Ray. Prosecutors asked his punishment be enhanced because he has previous robbery and firearm convictions. Jones faced up to life in prison.

Another man, Tivione English, is also charged in the killing. His case is ongoing, according to court records.

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The jury deliberated his guilt for less than four hours. Jones cocked his head toward the jury box as Judge Chika Anyiam read the guilty verdict aloud. He then hung his head and sobbed.

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“At this moment, I’m taking responsibility for my actions,” Jones said on the witness stand during his sentencing trial.

He looked at Ray’s family, who was in the courtroom gallery throughout the four-day trial: “I’m very sorry. … It really was senseless.”

Emily Chavez, Cameron Ray's girlfriend for more than two years, texted with Ray the morning...
Emily Chavez, Cameron Ray's girlfriend for more than two years, texted with Ray the morning he was killed. Ray suffered a fatal gunshot wound to the head shortly after a skirmish outside a bar in Old East Dallas on March 18, 2022.

“I think the sentence was too stiff,” Jones’ defense attorney, Michael Todd said. “I thought (prosecutors) had a lot of issues with respect to the case, but the jury saw differently so we’ve just got to live with that.”

Todd said he intends to appeal the verdict.

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A spokesperson for the Dallas County district attorney’s office declined to comment via text message.

Jones and English are accused of indiscriminately firing at Ray and a group of friends early on March 18, 2022, following a brawl in the 3600 block of Greenville Avenue, outside Bar 3606 and the now-defunct OT Tavern.

The killing spurred headlines when former Dallas Cowboys cornerback Kelvin Joseph was questioned about the gunfire by Dallas police. Joseph, who is Jones’ cousin and was a passenger in the SUV, was later cleared of criminal wrongdoing.

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Joseph was subpoenaed to testify but did not take the witness stand. He was cut from the Indianapolis Colts’ practice squad earlier this week.

The 12-person jury — six men and six women — rejected a lesser charge of deadly conduct. The jury was also asked to consider whether Jones acted in self-defense. Prosecutors did not have to prove Jones’ fired the lethal shot, only that Jones and English acted together.

“My gun didn’t kill that guy,” Jones said.

As the jury left the courtroom, Jones muttered, “this is crazy.”

Jones’ defense hinged on his belief that the SUV was being shot at. Jones confessed to arching his arm out the passengers’ side of the black SUV and firing warning shots. In his interview with police, Jones said people threatened him during the fight and ran after their car as it drove down Martel Avenue. He told police he did not shoot to kill.

Surveillance video captured the chaotic scene outside the OT Tavern and Bar 3606, nightclubs that shared a building. Some in the melee had guns and a man with a glass bottle tried to strike people with it, according to the footage and testimony.

But prosecutors argued that, unprovoked, Jones swung at someone in Ray’s group as they left the nightclub at about 2 a.m.

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Gunfire rang out less than 50 seconds later as Ray’s group walked away from the entertainment district. Video seemingly captured flashes of muzzle fire coming from the SUV and Ray falling to the ground. The gunmen fired more than a dozen shots, according to testimony.

Jones and English went to Six Flags the next day and eventually to Louisiana, Jones testified. He turned himself in to Dallas police in April.

Ray was struck in the head and died at a hospital. Ray was a college student, recovering from a basketball injury. His stepmother, Krista Wigfall, described him as “cool, calm and collected,” and “the life of the family.”

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Prosecutors painted the killing as retribution for the fight, with Dimitri Anagnostis calling it “calculated and intentional” murder.

Todd, the defense attorney, argued police botched its investigation into the shooting and failed to look into an eyewitness’ allegation that someone fired a gun in a nearby parking lot.

Todd also honed in on Jones’ admission to police that he fired a revolver. Thirteen shell cartridge casings from a Glock pistol were found at the crime scene.

The killing led to renewed calls to shutter the beleaguered nightclubs. Residents told The Dallas Morning News that gun violence plagued the entertainment strip. Two women were wounded in a June 2022 shooting in the same block. The News previously reported instances of aggravated and sexual assaults and criminal mischief in that area.

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OT Tavern closed in July 2022 on the heels of a lawsuit against the business’ landlord. A coffee shop filled the vacancy.

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