Family: Fayetteville woman, 'a mother before anything,' died protecting her children

Fayetteville Police have asked for help from the public as they investigate her death, but say they have no information about suspects or a motive.

Jones, who went by "Kita," was the mother of seven. Her children ranged in age from 12 to two months old.

Her siblings said Jones was sitting inside a home on Danish Drive, just off Fillyaw Road, when dozens of shots rang out from the street.

One bullet hit Jones in the head, even as, her brother said, she grabbed one of her children in her arms to shield the child from gunfire.

"She died protecting her kids. That's what our mom always did for us. She's just like my mom, period," said her brother, Rakeem Jones.

Jones' sister, Brittany Fuller, said the family is devastated and left wondering.

"Why is this happening? Why is it always gun violence? Why does this have to happen?" she asked.

"She definitely wasn't the target. She's innocent. It has nothing to do with her. Whatever it was, it definitely had nothing to do with her," Fuller said.

None of Jones' children was hurt. By Monday, they were being cared for by family members and comforting each other.

"The oldest knows what's going on, which hurts, honestly," said Rakeem Jones. "She's being strong for her brothers and sisters. She's doing everything she can. and when I tell you she's strong, she is so strong."

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked contact Detective J. Arnold at 910-824-9539 or Fayetteville / Cumberland County Crime Stoppers at 910-483-TIPS (8477).