Jackson police seek man in Christmas Day shooting

JACKSON, Tenn. — A Christmas Day shooting in east Jackson leaves one man in critical condition and his family looking for justice.

Tavaris Golden

Jackson police confirm they are investigating the shooting that happened at the intersection of Preston and Whitehall streets around 6:30 p.m. Sunday.

The victim’s sister, Shondrika Balmer, said her brother was shot following an argument with another man parked outside the house.

“Out of nowhere he comes over on Christmas and shot my brother in front of his child,” she said. “I was scared, so I ran into the house and then I ran outside to hold my brother, trying to make sure he was OK.”

Family said they have had problems with the suspect, which police have identified as 27-year-old Tavaris Golden, showing up on their property and causing problems before.

The victim was transported to a local hospital in critical condition, but family say they are not yet allowed to see him.

Neighbors said this isn’t the first time something like this has happened at the house.

“It’s been an ongoing thing for about a couple of weeks at that house, and someone just got upset to the point where they had to pull a gun out and they started shooting,” Jeremy Jones, a neighbor, said.

Jones says he was on his front porch when the fight broke out. He says he was not surprised about the shooting but was surprised it happened on Christmas Day.

“If it was just fighting, I would be OK with it, but not when it comes to gunshots,” he said. “I have someone I need to think about, plus my own life, so I don’t like that.”

Tavaris Golden was last seen in a white 2002 Chevy Tahoe, Tennessee license plate Z41-47S.

Investigators ask anyone with information about this crime or the suspect to contact them at 731-425-8400 or Crime Stoppers at 731-424-TIPS (8477).