A second gunman has been arrested in the shooting death of Junius Benton on June 27, 2017. This afternoon, Monroe Police officers arrested Japhares Rucks for his involvement in the incident.
On June 27, Monroe police responded to a shooting at the corner of Long and Milliken. During the shooting, a 16-year-old male (Benton) was shot and later died. It was discovered that prior to the shooting, an altercation occurred between two groups of individuals from the same neighborhood. As the altercation intensified, handguns were pulled by individuals involved.
According to the police, one of the suspects involved was Japhares Rucks. Rucks was originally interviewed just after the shooting at Monroe Police Department where he was mirandized. Rucks at first stated he was just a bystander watching the altercation when he saw others pulling guns. Later in the investigation, video was obtained and Rucks was observed in the middle of the altercation and also was seen pulling a small semi automatic pistol.
As Rucks was backing up to his car, he dropped the gun and was observed picking it up and pointing it in the direction of the other suspects involved in the incident. Rucks was seen passing the gun off to another individual and leaving the scene of the crime in his vehicle. Rucks was brought back into Monroe Police Department and mirandized again for additional questioning. He at first stuck to his original story then was shown the evidence against him, which he then admitted to the above facts of the case about the gun. Rucks admitted to having the gun and pointing it but stated he never shot the weapon.
He was charged with aggravated assault with a firearm and obstruction of justice.
Rucks is the second to be arrested in the shooting death of Junius Benton. Earlier today, Jaylon Brown was also booked and charged with illegal use of weapons.
