Authorities in Jackson, Tenn., have made an arrest in a Wednesday night triple shooting that left Arkansas State defensive linemen Markel Owens and his stepfather dead and Owens' mother injured.
According to a news release from the Jackson Police Department, authorities arrested Derrick Wade, 22, of Jackson, around 6:30 p.m. Thursday in Memphis and charged him with two counts of homicide in the robbery and shooting death of redshirt junior Markel Owens, 21, and his stepfather, Johnny Shivers, 37.
Wade is also charged with one count of attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault and tampering with evidence for attempting to kill Owens’ mother, Charmaine Owens, 37, and assaulting a 16-year-old boy, identified as Shivers’ son, who was in the house at the time of the robbery.
Wade, who is currently being held in the Madison County (Tenn.) jail, and another man purportedly jumped Shivers and his son outside Shivers’ apartment in a duplex at 770 Walker Road on around 9:30 p.m. Wednesday as they returned home, police say.
The two men then forced their way into the apartment and demanded money, according to police. A fight broke out and Owens, who jumped in to help his stepfather, was shot along with Shivers. One of the robbers then shot Owens' mother, police said, before the two men fled the home with a large amount of cash, possibly in a white Honda Civic. Shivers died at the scene. Owens was taken to Jackson-Madison County General Hospital, where he died. Charmaine Owens was treated for her wounds and released.
A large amount of marijuana was discovered inside the apartment during the investigation, according to police. Investigators say they believe Shivers was targeted in the robbery and that the men knew the cash and drugs were at the home.
Police say that Wade was shot in the thigh during the robbery. He was taken by a personal vehicle to Regional Medical Center in Memphis, where he was treated and released. Wade was found by police at a relative’s house, according to the release.
Investigators are still searching for the second individual involved the case. The release states that police have developed a person of interest and are searching for him.
Owens, who would've been a fifth-year senior defensive lineman next season, played in 11 games during the 2013 season, finishing with four total tackles and one tackle for loss, according to his statistics posted on the ASU athletics website.
Anyone with information aboutthis case may call (731) 425-8400 or (731) 424-8477.
Read more about this story in tomorrow’s Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.
