James Bonner

James Earl Bonner, a 39-year-old Black man from Jackson, Mississippi, was a beloved family man known for his love of sports and the joy he found in being with his relatives and friends. Born on September 16, 1981, to Joyce Richard Bonner and James Earl Richard, he was the fifth of six children and grew up surrounded by a large family. Those who knew him remembered him as an avid fan of the Green Bay Packers. He built a life in Jackson with his wife, Jimmika Myles-Bonner, whom he lovingly called “Mika.” Together they were raising their two children, a daughter named Jamesina and a son, X’Zavier Dear.

Tragedy was not new to the Bonner family. Before his own untimely death, James had experienced profound loss, having been preceded in death by both of his parents. He had also mourned the passing of his sister, Anna Marie Spells, and his brother, Lee Edward Bonner. This history of sorrow made his sudden death even more devastating for his surviving loved ones, who cherished his presence in their lives and now had to face another painful absence. His family was extensive, and he left behind his grandmother, Ethel Brown, as well as many nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, and cousins who remembered his role in their close-knit circle.

The morning of Wednesday, September 30, 2020, began like any other in Jackson, but it would end in violence. Sometime before 8 a.m., an altercation broke out at an Eagle gas station located in the 3200 block of West Capitol Street. According to the Jackson Police Department, the dispute involved James Bonner’s ex-girlfriend and another man. The disagreement escalated, and in the ensuing moments, James Bonner was shot multiple times. His death was one of two separate fatal shootings that occurred in the city within the span of just one hour that morning.

When officers from the Jackson Police Department arrived at the gas station, they found Bonner fatally wounded. The immediate area was secured as a crime scene, and an investigation into the city's latest homicide began. Detectives started piecing together the events that led to the shooting. In the initial hours of the investigation, police confirmed that they had detained an undisclosed number of individuals for questioning. These detentions were part of the standard procedure to gather witness statements and identify anyone involved in the altercation that preceded the gunfire.

The Jackson Police Department continued its investigation into the killing of James Bonner. However, despite detaining several people for questioning in the immediate aftermath of the shooting, no charges were filed. In a news report from October 12, 2020, it was confirmed that while the investigation was active, no one had been arrested or charged in connection with the crime. Since those initial reports, law enforcement officials have not released any further public updates regarding suspects, persons of interest, or the specific motive behind the fatal confrontation.

Family and friends gathered to say their final goodbyes to James on Saturday, October 24, 2020. A funeral service was held in his honor, and he was laid to rest at Autumn Woods Cemetery on West Northside Drive in Jackson. His obituary remembered him as a loving husband and father, leaving behind his wife and two children to cherish his memory. The community was left to grapple with the sudden and violent loss of a man who was a central part of his family.

As of the latest available information, the homicide of James Bonner remains unsolved. The investigation is still considered open by the Jackson Police Department, but no arrests have been announced publicly. His family continues to wait for answers and for justice to be served for the man they loved. There have been no rewards or specific tip lines publicized in connection with this case in the years since his death.