Jackson police make two arrests in deadly January shooting

JACKSON, Tenn. — Jackson police made two arrests several months after a deadly shooting in west Jackson. Both suspects appeared in Jackson City Court on Friday.

“It gives us a sense of relief,” Valerie Miller, the victim’s mother, said.

Miller watched Friday as the men accused of killing her son faced a judge in Jackson. It is a day she said she has prayed for. “There was a lot of dark nights,” Miller said.

Cedric Evans and Cornelius Jones are both charged with first degree murder. They are accused of gunning down Mondarrius Miller at The Villages at Old Hickory Apartments in January.

“I’m just glad that we finally get justice because he didn’t deserve it,” Marchika Watherspoon, the victim’s cousin, said.

Investigators said eyewitnesses saw two men wearing hoodies take off after the shooting and get into a silver Chevy Impala. Officers said they found a gun, hoodie, and gloves in the car that went to the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation crime lab for testing. Police said the handgun matched casings and projectiles recovered at the crime scene. Investigators said DNA recovered from the tested evidence matched Evans and Jones.

Relatives said the victim leaves behind two children and has one on the way. “Only thing we got left now is memories,” Watherspoon said.

Miller said she does not know the suspects or why her son was killed. “Maybe we can move on, maybe,” she said. “He’ll never be forgotten though.”

The judge ordered Evans and Jones both be held without bond.

The prosecutor told the judge U.S. Marshals picked up Evans in St. Louis after the shooting.

TBI records show that Evans and Jones both have lengthy criminal arrest records that include drug, assault, and attempted murder charges.

Both men are due back in court June 2.