A violent shooting spree in Birmingham, Alabama, on August 8 has led to the arrest of 32-year-old Kerry Jackson Jr. Jackson has been charged with two counts of capital murder and attempted murder. The incident reportedly began when Jackson shot his father and killed a family friend. He then allegedly forced his mother at gunpoint to drive him to another location where he shot his grandfather and another family friend.
The Birmingham Police Department received a distress call around 4:45 p.m. reporting multiple gunshot victims at a residence on Dennison Avenue. Upon their arrival, officers found 49-year-old Laquita Dunn, a family friend, dead from gunshot wounds. Jackson’s father had also been shot and was transported to the hospital by a family member with life-threatening injuries.
While the police were still investigating the scene, another shooting was reported a few blocks away on 17th Place Southwest. At this location, officers found two more victims: Anthony Jackson, the suspect’s 76-year-old grandfather, and a woman identified as the suspect’s longtime girlfriend. The grandfather was pronounced dead at the scene, while the woman was rushed to the hospital with life-threatening injuries. She has since survived.
Approximately five hours after the initial call, Jackson was apprehended at the Five Points West Shopping District. The arrest was made possible through the combined efforts of the U.S. Marshals Service and the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office.
On Wednesday, a judge found sufficient probable cause to advance the case to a grand jury for potential indictment, as reported by AL.com.
According to testimony from Birmingham police Det. Kristopher Hatcher, the suspect’s grandmother reported seeing Jackson acting strangely with a gun at the Dennison Drive home. Shortly after, Jackson allegedly shot Dunn multiple times in the kitchen. Upon hearing of the shooting, his parents rushed back to the Dennison home, where Jackson shot his father as he exited the car. Jackson then reportedly forced his mother at gunpoint to drive him to the 17th Place home, where he shot his grandfather and girlfriend. His mother managed to escape and sought help at a nearby gas station.
While the police have not disclosed a motive for the shootings, family members have suggested that Jackson, who has a history of drug addiction, may have “snapped.” Jackson is currently being held at the Jefferson County Jail without bond.