Crime
27-year-old Shakeyah Barnes wanted for the murder in shooting death of 20-year-old Jalea Turner in Erie
As of Friday morning, Barnes is still at large.
Erie, PA – The Erie Police Department has identified 27-year-old Shakeyah T. Barnes as the suspect in the city’s first homicide of 2025.
Barnes, a resident of Erie who is also known by the alias “Red,” is wanted on multiple charges, including homicide, attempted homicide, and aggravated assault.
The shooting took place during a private, invite-only New Year’s Eve party in the 900 block of West 19th Street.
According to police documents, Barnes was involved in an altercation described as an “east side versus west side beef” before leaving the party. Shortly after Barnes departed, the shooting occurred.
Witnesses at the scene identified Barnes as the shooter, but he remains at large as of Friday morning.
The Erie County Coroner, Lyell Cook, has identified the victim as 20-year-old Jalea Turner of Erie.
Turner sustained a gunshot wound to the head and was declared brain-dead on the afternoon of January 1, following an autopsy conducted on Saturday.
Turner was one of two people shot during the incident.
The second victim, who was struck in the leg, received treatment and has since been released from the hospital.
The Erie Police Department is actively searching for Barnes, who has not been seen since the shooting. No arrests have been made, and authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the incident.
Law enforcement officials are urging anyone with information about Barnes’s whereabouts or details about the shooting to come forward. Individuals can contact Detective Sergeant David Madurski or Detective Ronald Pilarski of the Major Crime Unit at 814-870-1229.
Authorities have emphasized the importance of community cooperation in resolving this case and ensuring public safety. Updates on the investigation will be provided as they become available.
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.