March 11, 2024 | By: Lisa Marino

This story is part of a collaborative project between Project: Cold Case and the University of North Florida’s Applied Journalism class.

Nothing was more important to Patrick Montez Jones Jr. than being the person his family could rely on. Whether it was helping his mom with finances, standing up for his cousins, or simply making his siblings laugh, Patrick’s main priority was looking after his loved ones.

“His goal for the future was to take care of his family. His mom, brothers, and sisters. He was the provider,” said Patrick’s cousin ‘C,’ who preferred his name not to be used. “He was 17 or 18 when he got his job to help his mom pay the bills.”

As one of six siblings, Patrick grew up in a big family. Being 10 years younger than his sister, Chandria Chisolm didn’t stop him from being the one everyone could count on for advice, a laugh, or support.

“He was so outgoing, happy, and friendly. Trustworthy. Everyone was his buddy, and he treated his friends like family,” Chandria said.

In March of 2015, Patrick was shot to death at the age of 19 on a chilly morning in Detroit. While to some, Patton Street is just pavement to walk, drive, or bike on, to Patrick’s family, it’s the very place where he took his final steps. His case remains unsolved, and there’s still uncertainty about why he died.

Everyone who knew Patrick loved his light-hearted, humorous character. Patrick’s cousin, C, laughed as he recounted a nostalgic memory of a special trip they took as teenagers. “He was a comedian,” C said. “At 16 or 17, we drove to the beach and had a great time. I remember we were playing football, and he was trying to impress some girls. My cousin threw the football to Patrick, and he tripped over the trashcan trying to catch it. He got up and ended up getting the girls because they were trying to help him get up.”

Chandria felt a special connection with her brother. She was able to watch him grow into a strong, dependable, and motivated young man.

When Patrick’s mother was pregnant with Patrick, she couldn’t wait to welcome him to the big family. Two girls and four boys made up the bunch of siblings who would play, eat dinner, and crack jokes together.

“When my mom was pregnant, I was excited because the baby was a boy. It was beautiful. He was so smart,” Chandria said. “When he was little, we went to take pictures. I remember his red outfit and red hat. The photographer said, ‘Say cheese, Patrick!’ He said, ‘Why, do you have some cheese?’”

Although he only lived to be 19 years old, Patrick was wise beyond his years. Growing up on the east side of Detroit, they lived in a rough neighborhood. In the middle of a drug-infested area with regular shootings, Patrick and his cousin used the negativity around them as motivation.

“We were dead broke. We came up with a plan. It was snowing outside, and we said, “Let’s get a shovel and try to make some money. We shoveled people’s yards, and it showed me we were going to find a way out. We made $300 that day, together. It showed us what we were capable of doing,” C said.

Patrick and C celebrated by going to the mall and buying some shoes. They saved the rest of the money.

On March 12, 2015, Patrick was walking with one of his cousins to a bus stop for an early morning shift at a vegetable factory. Patrick was shot and killed after having been approached by a car filled with four men, Chandria said. She doesn’t believe the police have done enough investigation.

“A car pulled up behind them. Four men got out of the car with guns and told them, ‘Don’t move.’ My cousin took off running,” Chandria said. “When Patrick took off running, he slipped on ice.”

Chandria said their cousin got away and escaped being robbed.

Detroit has the third-highest rate of homicides per capita among U.S. cities, according to a 2023 study by WalletHub. Law enforcement and community leaders have taken the initiative to lower crime rates in Detroit with the “One Detroit” partnership. Authorities said the collaboration is designed to lower Detroit’s rates of violent crime, according to the Eastern District of MI.

The initiative comes too late for Patrick’s family. This week will mark 9 years since Patrick’s death and his family carries the sorrow along with unanswered questions of what truly happened that morning in Detroit.

Patrick was the only person in the world with whom C felt comfortable being vulnerable. Each knew every move the other would make, he said.

“I didn’t open up to people. He was the only one I told anything to. How I feel, secrets I don’t tell anyone. I lost that person. I still haven’t gotten over it. He was my brother… my best friend,” C said. “I don’t have too many friends or people I hang with. Not being able to wake up to call him, see how he’s doing, us seeing each other. That really hurts me.”

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Anyone with information concerning Patrick Jones’ murder is asked to call the Detroit Police Department at (313) 596-2200. To remain anonymous and possibly be eligible for a reward, call Crime Stoppers at (800) SPEAK UP.

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