UPDATE: 1/19/14
Arrests have been made in the shooting death of former Arkansas State Red Wolves defensive lineman, Markel Owens. The Jackson (Tenn.) Sun is reporting two men have been arrested in connection with the robbery and shooting.
Jackson police have arrested a second man they say is responsible for the Wednesday night murders of Markel Owens, 21, and Johnny Shivers, 36, and the attempted murder of Chermaine Owens in a home invasion robbery on Walker Road.
Investigators arrested Derrick Wade, 22, Thursday night, then arrested his cousin, 19-year-old Johnny Wade, on Saturday morning after U.S. marshals of the Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force and Ripley police located him at a home in Ripley.
The task force is comprised of deputy U.S. marshals and investigators from the Jackson Police Department’s Gang Unit and the Jackson-Madison County Metro Narcotics Unit.
Derrick Wade and Johnny Wade are both charged with two counts of felony murder of Markel Owens and Shivers, especially aggravated robbery of Shivers, attempted first-degree murder of Chermaine Owens, aggravated assault of Shivers’ 16-year-old son and tampering with evidence.
…
“We believe Owens attempted to protect his family or defend his mother and stepfather,” Capt. Tyreece Miller said on Thursday. “He could have perhaps saved his mother’s life. I believe Owens should be regarded as a hero.”
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Arkansas State University student Markel Owens died Thursday night in his hometown of Jackson, Tenn., where civil authorities have confirmed his passing. A business management major, Markel was a three-year letterman on the Arkansas State football team who had just completed his redshirt junior season in 2013.
The Jackson (Tenn.) Sun is reporting the following:
Jackson police are investigating a Wednesday night home invasion robbery resulting in three people shot and two deaths, according to a news release this morning.
Johnny Shivers, 36, and Arkansas State University football player Markel Owens, 21, were shot and died from their injuries, police said.
A 37-year-old woman, who was Shivers’ wife and Owens’ mother, was also shot. She was treated and released last night from Jackson-Madison County General Hospital, police said. The news release did not identify her by name by Owens’ mother is Chermaine Owens.
About 9:30 p.m. Wednesday, police were called to a duplex at 770 Walker Road. The
woman was lying in the front yard with a gunshot wound. Shivers and Owens were found with gunshot wounds inside the apartment. Shivers was apparently deceased on the scene.
Owens was transported to Jackson-Madison County General Hospital and pronounced dead.
Investigators have learned that Shivers was arriving home when he was rushed by two masked men and forced inside the apartment. The robbers demanded money, and a struggle ensued. Owens and his mother were inside the apartment. During the struggle, Owens helped Shivers and began fighting one of the men. Shivers and Owens were both shot during the struggle, police said.
One of the gunmen then shot Owens’ mother.
The robbers got away with a large amount of cash, police said.
Investigators believe Shivers was specifically targeted. Police also found a large amount of marijuana inside the apartment. While the motive remains under investigation, police believe the robbers had prior knowledge of the drugs and/or cash inside the apartment.
The only information available on the shooters is that they were two black men, police said. They possibly left the scene in a white Honda Civic.
The Arkansas State Athletics Department is still in the process of gathering details surrounding Markel’s passing and released the following statement.
“Our worst fears were realized as an athletics department after being notified early this morning about the unfortunate news about Markel,” said Director of Athletics Terry Mohajir. “We’re deeply sadden and our utmost sympathies go out to his family, teammates and classmates. Please join me in prayer for so many people who are being impacted by the loss of Markel.”
“Markel was a part of our Red Wolves family, and it is obvious he was a well-liked and respected member of our team who will be missed,” said head football coach Blake Anderson. “We are doing everything possible to comfort his teammates, and we extend our compassion to his family during this difficult time.”
For those grieving, Arkansas State students are reminded that counseling is available through the Arkansas State Counseling Center located in the second floor of the Reng Student Union; phone 870-972-2318.
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