Father of Cal U shooting suspect calls father 'out of respect'

After Keith E. Jones Sr. learned that his son had been charged with fatally shooting a teen near California University of Pennsylvania, his mind drifted to the victim's family.

"I wanted them to hear it from me, not the news or nothing," said Jones, 40, of Monessen.

So he called the Rev. Glenn Grayson, pastor of Wesley Center AME Zion Church in the Hill District, expressing remorse for his son's actions and offering condolences for Grayson's loss.

Keith E. Jones Jr., 19, is accused of randomly shooting into an off-campus apartment early Sunday after being denied entry to a party. Jeron X. Grayson, 18, of Uptown was hit and died while waiting to be flown to a Pittsburgh hospital, authorities said.

The young men did not know each other, authorities said.

"As soon as I got the pastor's number, (calling) was the first thing on my mind," the elder Jones said.

If the situation had been reversed, Jones said, he hoped the family of the suspect would reach out to him.

"For me, it felt like I lost two sons -- my son and theirs. I did it out of respect."

On Monday, Glenn Grayson said the gesture helped. "It was just remarkable that they called," he told the Tribune-Review. "We both lost a son."

Jeron Grayson graduated from Schenley High School and was a freshman at Hampton University in Virginia.

Jones Sr. said he grew up in Pittsburgh and also graduated from Schenley. He described himself as a strict parent who tried to keep his son from getting into trouble.

He said his son attended First Baptist Church in Donora and studied at Community College of Allegheny County in hopes of becoming a physical therapist.

Jones spoke to his son in the state police barracks in Belle Vernon after his arrest.

"He cried and said, 'Dad, I didn't realize what I was doing.' My son is in my prayers. I love him. We're humans. We all make mistakes. Unfortunately, this is a tragic one."

Jones said his contact with the Graysons had nothing to do with hopes of leniency toward his son. He said he doesn't want that.

"I pray he has the strength to deal with what he has done. I've cried my eyes out. I'm done crying. Now I'm trying to be strong for my son."