At the time of her death in 1989, Juanita Jones, then 32, was working two jobs so she could save up enough money to focus on her restaurant, Down Home Barbeque, and had already turned in her notice at the Circle K to begin this transition.
Her restaurant was modestly sized and located on a corner property, next to where she lived in Haughton. Prior to coming back home to the west Louisiana area, ,Joines spent some time in the Army — she joined after graduating from Haughton High School — and was briefly married but eventually returning home.
Jones died as the result of a robbery and shooting that officials believe occurred 10:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 13, 1989.
When police were notified of the incident, it had already been dark for hours and northwest Louisiana wasn't expected to see daybreak until about another eight.
A Louisiana State Trooper had stopped at the Circle K where Jones worked, located at the corner of Bodcau Station Road and Highway 80. He left and made it not even about 10 minutes down the road when he heard the call come over the radio.
Jones was found by a customer who had just entered the store. She was seriously injured with one shot in the head. Cigarette boxes littered the floor behind the counter and the register was cleaned of its cash.
A previous report printed in The Times estimated $65 and some change was stolen.
Jones was taken to the hospital for treatment. She died five days later.
The store had no security camera and Jones was not able to provide a description of a suspect or suspects.
One person in the general surrounding area reportedly told police they heard a squealing tire, a shot, or a muffled shot. Another witness told police they saw a vehicle leaving at a high rate of speed, but they weren't able to tell what kind of vehicle they saw.
The incident occurred when the Shreveport-Bossier area was experiencing a rash of gas station convenience store robberies, but there hasn't been any indication that this offense was connected to any of the other occurrences.
Friends of Juanita Jones speculate that the killer must have known her and her schedule.
Anyone with information or tips regarding the case is asked to contact the Bossier Sheriff's Office at (318) 965-2203 or by calling Bossier Crimestoppers at (318) 424-4100.
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