San Francisco, CA – The wrestling community mourns the loss of veteran wrestler Tony Jones, known as “The Shooter,” who passed away at the age of 53. Details surrounding his death on April 11, 2024, are still emerging, with his hometown promotion confirming the tragic news.
Jones, born to an African-American father and an Asian mother, grew up in the greater San Francisco area. He excelled in sports during his time at Archbishop Riordan High School and continued his passion for wrestling at San Francisco State University, where he graduated with a broadcasting degree in 1995.
Standing at 6-foot-5 and weighing 270 pounds, Jones pursued a professional wrestling career after training at Roland Alexander’s All Pro Wrestling school. He made his debut in January 1997 and gained recognition when filmmaker Barry Blaustein featured him in the documentary “Beyond the Mat,” capturing Jones and Michael Modest in a WWF tryout match in September 1998.
Throughout his career, Jones ventured to various wrestling promotions, including XPW, but remained closely associated with California-based promotions like APW. His dedication and talent led to his inclusion in Pro Wrestling Illustrated’s Top 500 rankings, reaching as high as #222 in 2003.
Fellow wrestlers, such as Frankie Kazarian and Mike Bucci, paid tribute to Jones, highlighting his impact on the wrestling community and sharing fond memories of their time with him. Despite facing personal tragedies, including the loss of his daughter Selina in 2000, Jones continued to pursue his passion for wrestling until his retirement in June 2009.
Jones’ legacy lives on through the memories and achievements he leaves behind in the wrestling world. Funeral arrangements for the beloved wrestler are awaited by family, friends, and fans alike.