Separate weekend shootings leave 2 dead in Jackson
JACKSON, Tenn. — We have continuing coverage of two separate shootings that ended in the death of two people in Jackson on Sunday.
Officer-Involved Shooting
Beginning with an officer-involved shooting in front of the Jackson-Madison County Library early Sunday afternoon. Police say they encountered a 41-year-old male who they say was armed with a gun.
In a statement released by JPD, it says that during the encounter with police the individual was shot by officers.
We have asked for more details but have been referred to Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI).
The TBI is now in charge of the investigation.
JPD responds to ShotSpotter alert
WBBJ 7 Eyewitness News tipsters alerted us of a second shooting in east Jackson.
The Jackson Police Department received a ShotSpotter alert indicating gunfire in the area of the 200 block of Highview Street.
When we arrived an individual was pronounced dead on scene. The victim was identified as 22-year-old Mark Stitts Jr. A person of interest was taken into custody.
At this time investigations for both incidents remain active and ongoing.
The second death occurred near the intersection of North Royal Street and Highview Street. Residents told WBBJ that gun violence has been prevalent especially since they moved in since 1986.
Another man says his daughter witnessed it all happen. He’s very disappointed, and hopes that gun violence ends soon.
One woman says she is worried about the youth.
“For the young man that got killed late last night, I knew his mom. She’s a nice lady and I hate it for her. I hate the situation. Everybody is right here worried about the mayor getting the ice of the ground. We need to worry about the mayor getting the guns off the street, so we can have kids to send to school. We know school is not going on because of all the stuff that’s going around, but we need our kids. We need kids to send to school. We need kids to be the next generation to make this world better,” said Laverne Hardin.
Hardin tells she knows gun violence too well.
“I got that phone call one day. ‘Your son has been shot.’ I know the pain and the hurt today that a mother is feeling getting that phone call. That just brought back so much hurt, and pain for me as a mom that lost a child to gun violence in the street,” said Hardin.
Hardin shares the most unfortunate truth in shootings involve the ones closest to you.
“You never know who your killer is going to be. Your killer can be your best friend, your killer can be the person that you gave your last dollar to. 9 times out of 10 everybody knows their killer,” said Hardin.
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