Update: Three Charged in Taco Bell Parking Lot Shooting
JACKSON, Tenn.- Jackson police are investigating after officers found a local man lying in the Taco Bell parking lot with gunshot wounds to both legs around 10:40 p.m. Friday. Investigators said police were in the area of N. Highland Ave. and Carriage House Dr. when they heard gunfire. Officers moved toward the noise and found Jacob Crossett, 29, of Madison County, lying in the fast food chain’s parking lot with gunshot wounds to both legs. “Obviously over in Taco Bell it was well lit and populated but they didn’t care so really you can’t hide from it anywhere,” resident Richard Nash. Investigators said the victim had met up with Preston Gray, 23, and Allen Evans, 36, to sell them fake simulated narcotics. Officials believe Evans took the fake drugs then shot Crossett after he refused demands to hand over his money. “In our town makes me mad frankly it just makes me mad that people have that idea that they can go and take something with a gun or shoot somebody,” Resident Katie Raper said. Officers said they were able to obtain a description of the car that the suspects drove away in. The car was spotted in the area of North Parkway and Campbell St. Police said they attempted to stop the car but the driver fled causing officers to pursue in a chase through mid-town Jackson. Police said the car finally came to a stop in the area of Fernlawn St. and Cherry Place after officers deployed spike strips and did a Precision Immobilization Technique (PIT) Maneuver. “Oh my goodness I’ve never seen anything like that happen here and I knew that whatever was happening, it was really a big deal,” Raper said. Residents said they’re proud of Jackson police for taking quick action, finding and stopping the suspects. “Because this could have been another unsolved mystery of who did it and this case Jackson police department was on the spot,” Nash said. “They reacted and they did what ever it took to get them off the streets, it’s a job well done.” Police said the gunshot victim has been treated and released from the hospital. Officials said both Evans and Gray were transported to Madison County Jail where they both face a charge of especially aggravated robbery. Evans will face an additional charge of possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and theft of property for being in possession of the stolen gun. Officers said Gray will face an additional charge of sale and delivery of a controlled substance for facilitating the drug deal. Even though the drugs were not real, investigators said they were packaged in the manner and purportedly narcotics. Gray will also face a charge of felony evading arrest by motor vehicle. Officers also arrested Tracey Chambliss,30, who they said was with Crossett during the drug deal gone wrong at Taco Bell. Chambliss is charged with violation of community corrections and possession of drug paraphernalia. Chambliss, Evans, and Gray will be arraigned at 8 a.m. Monday in Jackson City Court. Jackson Police told WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News the case remains under investigation and additional charges are likely. If you have any information in this case that could help authorities call Jackson Police at (731) 425-8400 or Crime Stoppers at (731) 424-8477.
