Police Charge Man in Coco Bay Nightclub Homicide

CRIMINAL INVESTIGATION DIVISION

JACKSON POLICE DEPARTMENT

PRESS RELEASE

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE: January 29, 2009

BY: Chief Richard S. Staples

Police Charge Man in Homicide

On January 28 around 10:25 p.m., Jackson Police and E.M.S. received a call of a “large disturbance with a man down” at the Jackson Bowling & Family Fun Center, at 59 Bowling Drive.

Police identified the victim as Jerome Ellington, age 19, of Jackson. He had suffered a single gunshot wound to the upper chest. The investigation shows that there was a disturbance inside the business. A person, who has since been identified as the shooter, was seen displaying gang signs with his hands as he exited the business. Ellington walked outside shortly after the suspect. The disturbance continued to the parking lot. Ellington was shot outside the business near the front entrance. He was transported to the emergency room by EMS where he was pronounced.

Police recovered a shotgun on the far northeast corner of the miniature golf course at 59 Bowling Drive . Police believe this to be the murder weapon.

Around 12:30 this morning police arrested Ledarren Hawkins, age 20, of Memphis, from a residence in the 400 block of Hays Avenue. He has been identified as the shooter.

He is charged with First Degree Murder. He will be arraigned tomorrow morning at 8:30 in Jackson City Court.