Steckie Black

A fight inside a South Jackson home in the spring of 2025 ended in gunfire, taking the life of 51-year-old Steckie Black. The incident left a family grieving and set off a months-long search for the man police believed was responsible.

The fatal encounter occurred just after midnight on Saturday, April 19, 2025. Inside a residence on the 100 block of Savanna Street, an argument broke out between Mr. Black and another man. The dispute quickly escalated to violence, and shots were fired. The other individual fled the scene before police could arrive.

Officers from the Jackson Police Department’s Precinct 1 were dispatched to the home at approximately 12:02 a.m. after receiving a call about an aggravated assault. When they entered the house, they found Steckie Black suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced deceased at the scene. His death was recorded as the 20th homicide in the city of Jackson that year, a significant number, though lower than the 43 homicides the city had seen by the same time in 2024.

The Jackson Police Department began an immediate investigation. Within two days, their work led them to a person of interest. On Monday, April 21, authorities publicly identified 47-year-old Charles Mack as the suspect and announced that a warrant for his arrest on a charge of murder had been issued. Police officials appealed to the public for any information regarding Mack's whereabouts, circulating his name and urging community members to contact Crime Stoppers.

For three months, Charles Mack remained at large. The search continued through the spring and into the summer. Finally, on Thursday, July 24, 2025, the Jackson Police Department announced a significant development in the case: Charles Mack had been taken into custody.

Following his arrest, Mack was formally charged with the murder of Steckie Black. He made his initial appearance in court the next day, on Friday, July 25. A judge set his bond at $1 million. The arrest brought a measure of progress to the case, but the legal process was just beginning.

As of late July 2025, the investigation into Steckie Black’s death was still considered ongoing by the Jackson Police Department, even with a suspect in custody. Authorities continued to encourage anyone with additional information about the incident to come forward to aid the prosecution.

The Jackson Police Department has asked that anyone with information contact them at (601) 960-1234. Anonymous tips can be submitted to Crime Stoppers at (601) 355-TIPS (8477).