Murder in Black & White
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JACKSON, Tenn. – A disturbing trend is taking shape in the City of Jackson. So far this year, there have been 11 murders. Every single one of them had two things in common – the victim was African-American and, in the cases where a suspect is known, that person too is African-American. The numbers are startling. In 2009, there were 13 murders. Nine African-Americans were killed that year. Eleven of the suspects were African-American. One of the victims was Jerome Ellington, 19, of Jackson. “I miss that smile, those big bear hugs he used to give,” said Norma Ellington, Jerome’s mother. “I miss everything.” Jerome, who had been enrolled at Lane College for just three weeks, was gunned down while celebrating a friend’s birthday at the Jackson Bowling and Family Fun Center on January 28, 2009. “You don’t realize the effects homicide has on a family unless you walk down that path,” Norma said. “It’s a daily struggle.” Ladarren Hawkins was 21-years-old when he was sentenced to life in prison for Jerome’s murder. An admitted gang member, Hawkins had brought a sawed off shotgun with him from his hometown of Memphis while on a recruiting trip to Lane. One shot to Jerome’s chest killed him. In 2010, two families lost loved ones to murder in Jackson – one white, one African-American. Both suspects in those cases are African-American. In 2011, six murders were investigated. Four of the victims were African-American, five of the suspects. Lt. Tyreece Miller of the Jackson Police Department, who is African-American, heads ups the Violent Crimes Unit, which investigates every murder in the city. He believes what is called “black-on-black” crime is a growing problem in Jackson that must be addressed. “People are becoming immune to it because it happens with so much frequency,” he stated. “And, it shouldn’t be that way. There should be a public outcry.” Norma and her husband of 28-years, Clifton, are part of the growing public outcry. “We need to do something to try and correct this problem because we are losing our babies way too soon,” said Norma. She said the two of them were involved parents to the end, doing their part to keep Jerome on the right path, but admits that is not always enough. Other than engaged parents, the question remains, what can be done to stop this trend and increase in violent crimes? The answer echoed throughout the city is more community involvement from all races. Community involvement. What exactly does that mean? We will answer that question and introduce you to Jacksonians already doing their part, as our special report “Jackson Under Fire” continues, Monday, on 7 Eyewitness News at 10.
