The Jackson Police Department said in a Facebook post that detectives have arrested and charged 19-year-old Ladarius Evans in the fatal shooting of Justin Body at Leavell Woods Park.
The department said the shooting occurred on Saturday, April 25, at approximately 7:30 p.m. Robbery/homicide detectives identified Evans as a suspect on Sunday morning, April 26, and he was taken into custody and charged with murder.
On Monday, April 27, Evans appeared before a municipal court judge and was given a combined bond of $600,000 — $500,000 on the murder charge and $100,000 on a charge of tampering with evidence, the post said.
The Jackson Police Department is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for investigations within the city and routinely uses its robbery/homicide unit to investigate fatal shootings. The charging of a suspect marks a key step in the criminal process, but court proceedings and any potential trial will determine guilt or innocence. We will provide more information as it becomes available.
