Alleged gunman in N. Parkway shooting appears in court

JACKSON, Tenn.– The alleged gunman in a Thursday afternoon shooting outside Muse Park faces formal charges Friday morning.

Dominic Roberts, 21, is accused of pulling the trigger in an afternoon shooting near a Jackson school where voters were casting ballots.

“He’s on probation, charged with unlawful possession of a weapon and theft of property,” Jackson city court Judge Blake Anderson said during the arraignment.

Charging documents say Roberts “was invovled in an exchange of gunfire between his car and another car at the entrance of Muse Park.”

Witnesses told police Roberts exited the car with a pistol and ran after another car, according to the affidavit.

The court papers do not say how many shots were fired or why Roberts allegedly shot at another car.

Police said they discovered a Rossi .38 caliber gun near the crime scene. “He admitted to having the pistol and dropping it in the grass,” Judge Anderson read aloud from the documents.

When asked about where he lives, Roberts told the Judge he’s a student at Middle Tennessee State University staying with his parents in Jackson for the summer break.

Attempts to verify Roberts’ enrollment status with the school were not successful.

The alleged shooter said he planned on returning to school in two weeks. On Friday he’s held in custody on a probation violation and a $3,000 bond.

State records show Roberts has a criminal history including charges for aggravated robbery, simple possession and theft.