Event center murder suspect appears in court, pleads not guilty

October 25, 2024

WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News Staff,

JACKSON, Tenn. — A man allegedly held responsible for shooting nine people and killing one woman at an event center in north Jackson early Sunday morning was arraigned in court Friday.

Matthew Berry is facing a felony murder charge, in addition to attempted second-degree murder.

Berry appeared virtually in court. His attorney, Michael Burton spoke on behalf of him.

Berry pleaded not guilty to the charges. The state requests Berry be held without bond.

“Judge, due to the nature of the charges and the facts alleged in the warrant, the state asks that he be held especially on a felony murder charge,” said the prosecution.

“He is going to be held without bond. Without bond, yes,” said Judge Blake Anderson.

According to a warrant, on October 20, around 1:00 a.m., the Jackson Police Department responded to 23-10 North Highland Avenue for a shooting. When officers arrived to the scene they discovered nine gunshot victims.

Two victims were airlifted to a Memphis hospital. Lar’Curia Roberson suffered a gunshot to the abdomen and forearm, she later died as a result of her injuries.

One of the victims was shot twice in the back and was later paralyzed as a result of the shooting. Officers processed the crime scene and recovered eight spent 9 millimeter cartridge casings and one live .38 caliber cartridge.

The preliminary forensic findings are that all of the eight collected spent cartridge casings were fired from the same firearm. Berry was positively identified in a six person lineup as the person who opened fire in the crowd of people at the event center.

The shooting happened inside of the venue during what JPD says was a large party.