Crime
Jackson Police Arrest Suspect in Fatal Shooting of Emarion Flowers
JACKSON, MI — A 22-year-old man has been arrested in connection with the fatal shooting of Emarion Flowers, 22, which occurred in Jackson late last week, authorities confirmed Tuesday.
Jackson Police Chief Chris Simpson announced that the suspect was taken into custody around 6 p.m. on Monday, May 19, near the intersection of County Farm Road and Springport Road in Blackman Township.
The arrest was made swiftly by detectives, and the suspect was transported to the Jackson County Jail, where he awaits formal charges of open murder.
Flowers was discovered with a gunshot wound at approximately 3:30 p.m. on Friday, May 16, at Southridge Park, located on Warwick Court.
Emergency responders transported him to Henry Ford Jackson Hospital, where he was later pronounced dead.
Just hours after Flowers’ death, a separate shooting took place less than 12 hours later across the city boundary in the 100 block of Lincoln Court near Francis Street in Summit Township.
In that incident, four men were shot, including 29-year-old Anthony Glen Owens Jr., who died from his injuries.
Authorities are actively investigating whether the two shootings are connected. “It’s too early to confirm a direct link,” Chief Simpson stated, “but our detectives are thoroughly examining all possible connections.”
The arrest was a coordinated effort involving multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Blackman-Leoni Township Department of Public Safety, Michigan State Police, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF), the Jackson County Sheriff’s Office, and the Jackson Narcotics Enforcement Team.
Anyone with additional information is encouraged to contact the Jackson Police Department or submit anonymous tips through Crime Stoppers.
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.