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The DNAinfo archives brought to you by WNYC.
Read the press release here.

High School Soccer Star's Suspected Killer Arrested

By Jess Wisloski | June 17, 2012 5:00pm

BUSHWICK — Police have arrested a young man they say shot a teenager to death in the street in the course of a robbery last month, police said.

Lawrence Jones, 21, of Bushwick, was arrested Saturday in connection with the fatal shooting of Isaiah Roberts, 19, on Friday, May 25.

The parents of Roberts, who had described their son as a hardworking young man with a once-promising future, were unable to be reached immediately for comment.

But the day after Roberts' death, a family friend said she had heard the young man was headed home from a party at 11:35 p.m., when he and a friend were mugged at gunpoint, which led to the shooting in front of 90 Howard Ave. in Bedford-Stuyesant. The charges include attempted robbery.

A photo of Isaiah Roberts, 19, who police say was shot to death in Bedford-Stuyvesant on May 25, 2012.
A photo of Isaiah Roberts, 19, who police say was shot to death in Bedford-Stuyvesant on May 25, 2012.
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DNAinfo/Isaiah Roberts family

Police had found Roberts, who was from Brownsville, dead at the scene with a gunshot wound to the back at 11:35 p.m., a fate his parents, Trinidadian immigrants, never would have imagined for him.

They said the boy was a talented soccer player, who was on a Long Island team, and got rides every week to games with his coach. He was also involved track and field at his Manhattan high school, the Henry Street School for International Studies.

The boy's father, Stephen Francis, 45, said Isaiah had been interested in pursuing architecture at college, and thought his son was well on his way towards a soccer scholarship to pay his way.

Jones has been charged with attempted robbery, criminal possession of a weapon, and murder, according to police. 

Police have charged Jones with attempted robbery, criminal possession of a weapon and murder.