Jackson Police Investigate Two Separate Homicides

Incidents include the death of an 18-year-old shooting victim and a 33-year-old man killed outside a business.

Apr. 11, 2026 at 4:40pm

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single spent shell casing on a dark concrete surface, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually representing the physical evidence left behind at a crime scene.The grim aftermath of a fatal shooting leaves behind physical evidence that detectives must carefully examine to uncover the truth.Jackson Today

The Jackson Police Department is investigating two recent homicides that occurred within days of each other. In the first incident, 18-year-old Joel Terrell died on Thursday from injuries sustained in an April 8th shooting at a residence. In a separate case, 33-year-old Leonard Banks was found shot and killed on the sidewalk outside a business on Friday evening.

Why it matters

Violent crime remains a major concern in Jackson, with these two homicides adding to the city's ongoing challenges with gun violence and public safety. The police are working to determine suspects and motives in both cases to help bring the perpetrators to justice and provide closure for the victims' families.

The details

In the first incident, officers responding to a shooting on April 8th found four people inside a home on Valencia Street, including two victims who had been shot. An 18-year-old male victim, Joel Terrell, was taken to the hospital in critical condition and later died from his injuries on Thursday. A female victim suffered non-life-threatening injuries. In the second case, police were called to a business on Cooper Road around 7:56 p.m. on Friday, where they found 33-year-old Leonard Banks lying dead on the sidewalk after being shot once. Both victims' next of kin have been notified.

  • The first shooting occurred on April 8th.
  • Joel Terrell died from his injuries on Thursday, April 11th.
  • The second shooting happened around 7:56 p.m. on Friday, April 10th.

The players

Joel Terrell

An 18-year-old male victim who died from injuries sustained in a shooting on April 8th.

Leonard Banks

A 33-year-old man who was found shot and killed outside a business on April 10th.

Jackson Police Department

The local law enforcement agency investigating the two recent homicides in Jackson.

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What they’re saying

“Detectives are working to determine suspects and motives in both cases.”

— Jackson Police Department

What’s next

The Jackson Police Department is urging anyone with information about either of these homicides to contact them at 601-960-1234 or Crime Stoppers at 601-355-TIPS.

The takeaway

These two tragic homicides underscore the ongoing challenges Jackson faces with violent crime and the need for the community to work together with law enforcement to address the root causes and bring the perpetrators to justice.