High profile murder of young Houston girl takes 'new direction' after race of suspects revealed

Houston police have arrested and charged two men they say are responsible for the senseless murder of 7-year-old Jazmine Barnes, who was gunned down in a Walmart parking lot last Sunday.

What are the details?

Houston Police announced Saturday the homicide investigation "has taken a new direction" after authorities apprehended two men they say are connected to Barnes' tragic death. The new direction? Both suspects are black — not white like earlier reports suggested, stirring racial motives on social media.

In a statement early Sunday, homicide investigators with the Harris County Sheriff's Department announced the arrest of 20-year-old Eric Black Jr. Police have charged him with capital murder, according to KRIV-TV. Black has admitted to taking part in the shooting.

Eric Black Jr., 20, is charged with capital murder in the death of 7-year-old Jazmine Barnes. #hounews pic.twitter.com/OlmqMlb3ES

— HCSOTexas (@HCSOTexas) January 6, 2019

According to KTRK-TV, authorities also arrested 24-year-old Larry Woodruffe. It wasn't immediately clear what charges Woodruffe faces.

Authorities said all indications suggest Barnes and her family were "innocent victims."

"At this time, investigators do not believe Jazmine's family was the intended target of the shooting, and that they were possibly shot as a result of mistaken identity," investigators said.

What is the significance?

Aside from the tragic death of a beautiful child, this case in particular received a mass of attention online because initial reports said a white man in his 30s or 40s was responsible for the shooting. Police even released a composite sketch of a person witnesses saw at the crime scene.

This is the man witnesses say murdered 7-year-old Jazmine Barnes on 12/30 as her family drove on the E. Sam Houston Pkwy frontage road at Wallisville Road. Thin white man, 30's-40's, in a red pickup. Call 713-221-6000 or @CrimeStopHOU at 713-222-TIPS #JusticeForJazmine #hounews pic.twitter.com/URR3w2Wxbm
— HCSOTexas (@HCSOTexas) January 3, 2019

However, both men police apprehended are black.