Steven Jones released from prison for 2015 NAU shooting

The Arizona Department of Corrections confirmed to ABC15 that former Northern Arizona University student Steven Jones, who pleaded guilty to manslaughter and three counts of aggravated assault in a fatal shooting in Flagstaff in 2015, has been released from prison and placed on parole.

Jones was serving a six-year prison sentence for killing 20-year-old Colin Brough and seriously injuring three other students.

Jones said he feared for his life and acted in self-defense after being struck while walking near campus. But prosecutors say he returned to his car parked on campus, grabbed a gun and intentionally shot the students.

Brough died of his injuries. Students Nick Piring, Nick Prato and Kyle Zientek, all 20 years old, were injured.

Jones was initially charged with first-degree murder, which would have carried a minimum prison sentence of 25 years if convicted, but the jury was unable to reach a consensus.

A second trial was scheduled to begin in 2020. Jones faced a reduced charge of second-degree murder, but before that trial began, he accepted a plea deal to the lesser charge.

The case attracted national attention and was the subject of a report by ABC 20/20.

Jones was given credit for time served in custody, meaning his six-year sentence ended up with about four and a half years in the Department of Corrections. The department said he was released this week.

Jones was not immediately available for comment to ABC15.

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