Clarion Ledger records show Jackson homicides have reached a total of 72 since the beginning of 2024 with at least a dozen of those murders occurring at or near gas stations and conveniencestores.
Three of those dozen shootings at gas stations and conveniencestores resulted in the deaths of four people in the month of July alone.
- One shooting involved the death of 60-year-old Roy Love, who was allegedly robbed and killed on July 8 by three teenagers at the M&M Food Mart in the 500 block of Cooper Road.
- The second shooting resulted in the death of 23-year-old Jacobi Austin on July 20 at the Texaco gas station in the 4400 block of Medgar Evers Boulevard.
- The third shooting resulted in the deaths of 48-year-old Derrick Coleman and 37-year-old Jasvir Singh on July 21 at the Shell gas station in the 2800 block of McDowell Road.
Additional fatal shootings at or directly near Jackson gas stations and conveniencestores in 2024 resulted in the deaths of Rodger Fulgham, Devaun Johnson, Rico Watts Jr, Jesua Eduardo Rodrigues Chaves, Charlie Thomas, Taboris Jefferson, Joshua Bennett, Juan Taylor and Damien Johnson.
According to local media reports, community members protested on Sunday, July 28, asking for the city to close down the Texaco gas station on Medgar Evers Boulevard where crime activity is deemed heavily present. Ward 3 Councilman Kenneth Stokes previously said the city has used the state's nuisance lawsto shut down businesses known to be havens for crime.
Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade told the Clarion Ledger that he has not seen any data showing that closing down a gas station would reduce crime but understands the city has had some issues with crime at gas stations and convenience stores.
Wade said over the past week, he has met face-to-face with at least "30 convenience store and gas station owners" to talk with them about security measures. Wade said he wants the police department and store owners to work in lockstep with each other to allow owners to "have a profitable business" but also allow the citizens of Jackson to be "safe" when visiting stores.
"We are increasing our field contacts around these gas stations," Wade said. "We are collecting people's information, their identity and if they have warrants for their arrest. We are equipping the business owners with the ability to sign trespassing charges against these individuals who are not conducting business there. We are also implementing sign-in sheets in some of these gas stations that have propensity of violence in and around them. In meetings, the department is talking specifically about what that precinct captain is doing to address crime in and around those gas stations and convenience stores. We understand that crime moves, and as it moves, we need to be there to receive it."
Below is a recounting of the 72 total murders in Jackson by month for 2024:
- In January, there were12 murders. All homicides were investigated by JPD.
- In February, there werefour murders. All homicides were investigated by JPD.
- In March, there were13 murders. All homicides were investigated by JPD.
- In April, there were16 murders. Capitol Police investigated one case, and JPD investigated 15 cases.
- In May, there were6 murders. All homicides were investigated by JPD.
- In June, there were 10 murders. All homicides were investigated by JPD.
- In July, there were 11 murders. All homicides were investigated by JPD. Capitol Police, MBI and Hinds County Sheriff's Department did not report a count to the Clarion Ledger before publication; therefore, this number could possibly change.
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Below are the victims from July murder cases in Jackson proper. Spellings of names are based on court records and police statements:
Roitavious Greenfield
- According to police, Roitavious Greenfield died after being shot multiple times on July 3 in the 5900 block of Lake Trace Circle, a North Jackson neighborhood. Greenfield, 19, was later pronounced dead at the University of Mississippi Medical Center.
- Police arrested Camron Lee, 19, in connection to the murder of Greenfield. Police said Lee received no bond for his alleged role in the murder. Police also arrested Martraviois Douglas, 19, in connection tothe July 3 death ofGreenfield and the Jan. 29 death ofAnthony Davis. Police said Douglas was out on bond for a 2022 incident at the time of his arrest.
- Court records allege Lee shot Greenfield with "an unknown caliber weapon." Court records also allege Douglas shot Greenfield with "an unknown caliber weapon."
Willie Luckett
- Willie Luckett, 47, died after being shot at approximately 4:40 a.m. on July 7 outside of Club Twilight in the 3000 block of Livingston Road in Jackson. According to police, Luckett had been shot and transported to the University of Mississippi Medical Center, where he later died.
- On July 25, the Jackson Police Department issued a warrant for the arrest of Willie James, 35, in connection to the case. James faces a murder charge and considered armed and dangerous.
Roy Love
- Roy Love, 60, died after three teenagers allegedly robbed and killed Love at approximately 1:30 a.m. July 8 at the M&M Food Mart in the 500 block of Cooper Road.
- Police identified the teenagers as 17-year-old Trent Wooten, 17-year-old Zylan Norton and 16-year-old Kadaris Cohen. According to Wade, Love asked the three teens to leave the location shortly before they attacked Love. Wade said the teenagers stole Love’s weapon and shot Love with a weapon already in their possession. Each teen was charged with capital murder and received no bond.
- Court records in three sperate filings state Wooten, Norton and Cohen attempted to "take the personal property" of Love "against his will."
Fredrick Williams and Shirely Williams
- Fredrick Williams, 50, and Shirley Williams, 75, died after a shooting on July 11 at Addison Place Apartments in the 3100 block of Robinson Street. Police said both victims were pronounced dead at the scene. Police said Shirley was found in a bed, while Frederick was found in the hallway.
- Police said they developed a person of interest. However, the person’s name has not been released. At the time of the incident, police said there were no signs of forced entry into the apartment occupied by the married couple.
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Charles Rucker
- Charles Rucker, 54, died from a shooting on July 11 near Chastain Drive and Garvin Street. Police said Rucker died at the scene.
- In connection to the shooting, police arrested Eddie Gilbert, 57, and charged Gilbert with murder, convicted felon in possession of a firearm and felony drug possession.
- Court records state Gilbert was charged with the murder of Rucker due to allegedly "shooting (Rucker) in the left side with an unknown caliber weapon."
Marvin Houck Jr.
- Police located the body of Marvin Houck Jr., 55, in the road on Pine Tree Drive the morning of July 11. Public Information Officer Tommie Brown told the Clarion Ledger Houck died from a gunshot wound to the head.
- Brown also told the Clarion Ledger that police had a person of interest, but no one has been arrested.
Jacobi Austin
- Jacobi Austin, 23, died in a July 20 shooting at the Texaco gas station in the 4400 block of Medgar Evers Boulevard. Public Infromation Officer Tommie Brown said Austin died at the scene.
- Jackson Police Department arrested Dakeria Hawkins, 21, in connection to this case. Police charged Hawkins with accessory after the fact to murder. Police also issued a warrant for the arrest of Adrian Sutton, 23, who faces a murder charge in connection to this case.
Derrick Coleman and Jasvir Singh
- Derrick Coleman, 48, and Jasvir Singh, 37, died on July 21 at the Shell gas station in the 2800 block of McDowell Road. Police said Coleman was the husband of Latasha Crump Coleman, a woman who was last seen on July 18, 2023. Singh was the owner of the Shell gas station.
- According to Brown, police are searching for suspects who were in a "black Honda Sedan distinguished by tinted windows on all sides" at the time of the shooting. Police believe the rear passenger fired the shots that killed Coleman and Singh.
Jerquarius Brown
- Jerquarius Brown, 28, died on July 22 after a fatal shooting in the 1700 block ofRobinson Street.
- The Jackson Police Department issued an arrest warrant for Kelvin Clincy, 34, in connection to the fatal shooting stating Clincy is armed and dangerous. Clincy faces a murder charge.
