On His Birthday, Calls for Zavar Jones Bodycam Footage Grow

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JACKSONVILLE, Texas (TXAN 24 News) – Today would have been Zavar Rashad Jones’ 34th birthday. But for the Jacksonville community, April brings more than memories — it reignites calls for transparency.

Zavar died on April 22, 2020, following a late-night police pursuit. According to Jacksonville Police, an officer attempted a traffic stop around 1:25 a.m. on Rusk Street. After a short chase, Zavar fled on foot into a wooded area near Tilley Street. Officers say they found him unresponsive in a creek and performed CPR. He was pronounced dead at UT Health Jacksonville.

Police stated no force was used and said the Texas Rangers were assisting in the investigation. An autopsy was ordered. But five years later, the public still hasn’t seen one key piece of evidence: the body camera footage.

Many in the community have long questioned the official story — not out of speculation, but out of a desire for truth. Friends and family say Zavar was more than a name in a report. He was a real person, full of life, who deserved more than unanswered questions.

Despite repeated interest from citizens and local advocates, the footage from that night has never been released.

On his birthday, those who loved Zavar are not just mourning — they’re asking, again: Why hasn’t the bodycam been made public?

If you knew Zavar, or if you’re among those seeking transparency, we want to hear from you. Email us at newsroom@txan24news.com.

TXAN 24 News is continuing to investigate and will be submitting a formal open records request regarding this incident.