Crime
21-Year-Old man killed in officer-involved shooting in Rock Island
The man, identified as being unarmed, was shot multiple times, including in the head and torso.
Rock Island County Coroner Brian Gustafson has confirmed the death of a 21-year-old man following an officer-involved shooting on Saturday afternoon.
On Monday, the Rock Island County Coroner identified the victim as 21-year-old Jakarta Jackson. Preliminary autopsy results indicate that Jackson died from multiple gunshot wounds.
According to the Rock Island Police Department, the incident unfolded at approximately 3:20 p.m. in the area of 12th Street and 24th Avenue:
- An officer attempted to detain a “suspicious individual.”
- The man reportedly fled on foot when approached.
- Police say the man then entered the driver’s seat of a running car in an attempt to escape.
- As the officer tried to remove him from the vehicle, the man allegedly drove the car forward, which police claim dragged the officer.
- The officer fired at the man, striking him multiple times.
Both the man and the officer were transported to a local hospital:
- The man succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced deceased.
- The officer was treated for injuries and later released.
Rock Island Police Chief Tim McCloud immediately requested the Rock Island County Integrity Task Force to investigate the use of deadly force. This task force comprises local and state law enforcement agencies to ensure impartial investigations of officer-involved incidents.
The officer involved in the shooting has been placed on administrative leave, pending the investigation. An autopsy is scheduled for Monday, according to Coroner Gustafson.
Several witnesses at the scene have expressed skepticism about the police account of the events.
Unverified claims allege:
- The officer was not visibly injured or dragged.
- The man, identified as being unarmed, was shot multiple times, including in the head and torso.
- Children, reportedly the man’s son and nephew, were in the vehicle at the time of the shooting.
Witnesses also dispute the timeline provided by authorities, asserting that the man died at the scene and was not transported to the hospital alive.
The incident has sparked significant outrage within the community, with calls for transparency and accountability. Witnesses and community members have accused law enforcement of attempting to cover up the circumstances surrounding the shooting.
The Rock Island County Integrity Task Force has taken over the investigation. They are expected to examine all evidence, including body camera footage and witness statements, to determine the facts of the case.
Anyone with information or video footage is urged to contact the task force directly. Updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.
Crime
Walls Police Officer Da’Quarius Burton Injured in Deadly Mississippi Crash, Mother Confirms He Is Alive and Safe
DESOTO COUNTY, Mississippi — Walls Police Officer Da’Quarius Burton was injured in a deadly two-vehicle collision on U.S. Highway 61 in DeSoto County, Mississippi, but his mother has confirmed that he is alive, safe and recovering following the crash.
Burton, 27, of Memphis, Tennessee, was driving a Dodge Durango involved in the collision shortly after 8 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of U.S. Highway 61 and Church Road in Walls.
The crash claimed the lives of three people traveling in a Honda Accord. The incident also left another passenger injured and involved employees of the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office Juvenile Detention Center.
Following the crash, misinformation circulated online suggesting that Burton had died and that he was a juvenile detention officer.
His mother, Tee Burton, publicly addressed the reports, firmly correcting the information and asking people to stop sharing unverified claims.
She confirmed that her son is alive, safe and okay. She also emphasized that he is not a juvenile detention officer.
In her statement, she expressed disappointment over reports falsely identifying her son as one of the people who died in the collision.
She also acknowledged the families who lost loved ones and urged the public to show compassion toward everyone affected by the tragedy.
Her statement included the following message:
“My son is alive!!! He is safe, and he is okay!!!”
She further asked people to verify information before publishing or reposting details that could cause unnecessary emotional distress to families.
According to the Mississippi Highway Patrol, a northbound Dodge Durango traveling on U.S. Highway 61 collided with a westbound Honda Accord traveling on Church Road.
Three occupants of the Honda were pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the victims as:
- Latasha N. Dodson, 37, of Horn Lake, Mississippi, the Honda driver.
- Eddie L. Dodson Jr., 41, of Byhalia, Mississippi.
- Tamenshia R. Ford, 32, of Horn Lake, Mississippi.
Burton and another passenger in the Honda survived the collision but sustained injuries and were transported to a local hospital. Their specific medical conditions have not been publicly detailed in the information provided.
The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that two people involved in the crash were employees of its Juvenile Detention Center.
One of those employees was Tamenshia R. Ford, who died in the collision. The second employee was seriously injured.
Sheriff Thomas E. Tuggle II expressed condolences following the death of the employee, describing the person as a respected and beloved member of the department.
“Our fallen officer was a respected and beloved member of our team,” Tuggle said.
The sheriff’s office also recognized the employee’s dedication, compassion and commitment to working with young people entrusted to the facility’s care.
State officials confirmed that the Dodge Durango involved in the collision belonged to the Walls Police Department.
The city’s mayor and police chief also confirmed that a Walls police officer was involved in the crash. Burton’s mother has since clarified that her son is the officer and that he survived.
An SUV displaying Walls Police Department identification was seen being towed from the crash scene Wednesday night.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol is leading the investigation into the fatal collision.
Investigators are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash. Authorities have not released additional details about what led to the vehicles colliding.
The crash resulted in three deaths and left multiple people injured. Burton’s family has asked the public to respect the victims and their loved ones while avoiding the spread of false information.
The investigation remains ongoing.