A 23-year-old man has been charged with murder following the fatal shooting of his mother while she sat in her car, parked directly in front of the Fullerton Police Department on Independence Day. Emmanuel Wesley, a resident of Santa Ana, faces serious charges in connection with the death of 61-year-old Theresa Jones, whose body was discovered a week later in a church parking lot.

Wesley has been charged with one felony count of murder and an additional felony enhancement for the discharge of a firearm causing great bodily injury or death. If convicted on all counts, he could face a maximum sentence of 50 years to life in prison.

According to the Fullerton Police Department, Jones was reported missing on July 7, 2026, after she did not arrive to pick up her grandchild and became unresponsive to calls from family members. Four days later, her body was found in the passenger seat of her vehicle, which was parked at a church in Fullerton. Authorities indicated she suffered two gunshot wounds to her back.

Surveillance footage reportedly shows Jones arriving at the police department on July 4 at approximately 2:46 p.m., with Wesley exiting the back seat shortly after she slumped over. Evidence suggests he then moved her body to the passenger seat and drove away from the scene.

Wesley was arrested after a thorough investigation by the Fullerton Police Department and is currently being held without bail at the Orange County Jail. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges against him.

“The death of any human being is a tragedy,” stated Orange County District Attorney Todd Spitzer. “For someone to kill their own mother is another level of depravity. We will do everything we can to pursue justice for Ms. Jones and everyone who loved her.”

The case is being prosecuted by Senior Deputy District Attorney Mallory Miller of the Homicide Unit.