Murders increase in north portions of Jackson compared to previous months

Clarion Ledger reporting shows murders in Jackson have started to increase across the city into some northern portions of Jackson, which are not widely noted as high crime areas when compared to South and West Jackson.

During the first three months of the year – January, February, and March –, the city of Jackson saw 29 homicides with roughly 7% of those murders occurring in Wards 1 and 2. This percentage is based on murders committed in areas north of Northside Drive.

For the previous three months – April, May, and June –, the city of Jackson saw 32 homicides with about 16% of those murders occurring in the Wards 1 and 2. A couple of those deaths included the April death of 25-year-old Carlos Collins and the May death of a 29-year-old Melvin McNair Jr., both near Old Canton Road.

Here are the 61 total murders in Jackson by month for 2024:

• In January, there were 12 murders. All homicides were investigated by JPD.
• In February, there were four murders. All homicides were investigated by JPD.
• In March, there were 13 murders. All homicides were investigated by JPD.
• In April, there were 16 murders. Capitol Police investigated one case, and JPD invested 15 cases.
• In May, there were 6 murders. All homicides were investigated by JPD.
• In June, there were 10 murders. All homicides were investigated by JPD. Capitol Police, Mississippi Bureau of Investigation and Hinds County Sheriff's Office did not report a count to the Clarion Ledger before publication.

Below are the victims for June murder cases in Jackson proper:

Robert Williams

• Jackson police arrested Byrian Dotson and Tamar Duncan in connection to a homicide that occurred June 7 in the 300 block of Northside Drive. Police told the Clarion Ledger that Robert Williams, 39, was shot and died at the scene.
• Dotson, 41, faces a convicted felon in possession of firearm charge. Duncan, 41, faces charges of accessory after the fact to murder and tampering with evidence.

Davion Myles

• Four teenagers accused of shooting and killing 18-year-old Davion Myles in the 100 block of Marine Street were arrested over the span of two days, according to the Jackson Police Department. Myles died at a local hospital after he was shot June 9 at the scene.
• Police said a 13-year-old Black female was arrested June 10. Police also said a 15-year-old Black male, 16-year-old Black male and another 16-year-old Black male were arrested June 11. All four teens were charged with murder and drive-by shooting.

Amarh Harper

• According to the Jackson Police Department, Amarh Harper died June 9 around 11 p.m. in the 3200 block of Lakewood Drive. Polie said Harper, 25, died at the scene after he was shot. No suspect information has been released at this time.

Unidentified Victim

• Jackson police arrested 24-year-old Keiveontta Monterrio Jashon Turner in connection to the June 10 death of an unidentified victim. Police believe the victim was shot and killed inside a vehicle in the 600 block of McCluer Road. The victim’s identity is being withheld pending next of kin notification.
• Police issued a warrant June 10 for Turner's arrest for first-degree murder. Turner later turned himself in to authorities June 11 by surrendering at JPD headquarters.

Quintavious McCray

• Quintavious McCray, 19, was killed June 11 in the 300 block of Flag Chapel Road at a convenience store. JPD initially believed McCray was a part of a stolen car incident near that area. Police followed up with an additional statement saying they have not been able to verify that information. No suspect information has been released at this time.

Erin Brunett

• Daniel Callihan, 36, of Tangipahoa Parish, is accused of abducting 3-year-old Erin Brunett and her 6-year-old sister Jalie Brunett from their Loranger, Louisiana, home and bringing them to Mississippi. JPD initially reported Erin to be 4 years old.
• According to authorities, both girls were found in the woods near the 3900 block of Boozier Drive in South Jackson — more than 120 miles away from Loranger. Police said Jalie was found alive, but Erin was found dead. Authorities said Erin is believed to have died from suffocation or asphyxiation.
• Callihan and his alleged accomplice, 32-year-old Victoria Cox, were both booked for capital murder and sexual battery in Mississippi.

Daniel Ballard Jr.

• Daniel Ballard, Jr., 20, died after being shot multiple times June 15 in the 4600 block of Cedarhurst Drive, according to the Jackson Police Department. No suspect information has been released at this time.

Unidentified Victim

• Jackson police announced the arrest of 35-year-old Jamarl Chambliss in connection to a homicide which left one dead June 24 in the parking lot of a liquor store on I-55 South Frontage Road. Police said a 68-year-old white male, the victim, was run over by a truck allegedly occupied by Chambliss. The victim’s identity is being withheld pending next of kin notification.
• According to police, Chambliss faces a murder charge for the death of the unidentified victim.

Cortez Dunlap

• Jackson police arrested 34-year-old Xavier Wells who allegedly shot and killed Cortez Dunlap, 34, in the 1100 block of Primrose Street on June 25. Police said Dunlap died at the scene.
• According to police, Wells was charged with murder, convicted felon in possession of a firearm and possession of a stolen firearm in connection to this case.

Zederick Warner

• Zedrick Warner, 20, died after a Sunday, June 30 shooting in the 3100 block of Woodbine Street at the Blossom Apartment complex, according to a Jackson Police Department statement. Warner was shot at the scene and transported to a local hospital, where he later died. No suspect information has been released at this time.