On a Wednesday evening in Vicksburg, Mississippi, police responded to a call that would begin a homicide investigation. The victim was DeMarcus Dequarius Smith, a 25-year-old Black man. Little is known about his life, but his death prompted a swift response from law enforcement and the community.
Just after 6:00 p.m. on May 10, 2023, officers were dispatched to Ken Karyl Avenue for a reported shooting. When they arrived, they found DeMarcus Smith suffering from several gunshot wounds, including at least one to the back. He was immediately airlifted to the University of Mississippi Medical Center for emergency treatment. Despite medical efforts, he succumbed to his injuries the following day, on May 11, 2023.
Vicksburg police investigators quickly began working the case. Within two days, their efforts led them to identify and locate two individuals in connection with the fatal shooting.
On Friday, May 12, police arrested 35-year-old Jonathan Jamal Jackson and 43-year-old Lakisha Miller.
Following the arrests, both Jackson and Miller were charged. Jackson was charged with second-degree murder for the shooting death of DeMarcus Smith. Miller faced charges of possession of a stolen firearm and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon.
On May 12, Jackson and Miller appeared for an initial hearing before Judge Angela Carpenter. The judge set Jackson’s bond at $1,000,000 and Miller’s bond at $85,000. As of May 2023, the case against both individuals was bound over to the Warren County Grand Jury for further proceedings.
