Goshen mourns teen’s death
Published 11:00 pm Monday, November 11, 2013
The Pike County Sheriffs department arrested Sammy D. Jackson, 44, of Pike County Saturday morning and charged him with one count of murder and one count of attempted murder in connection with a shooting incident that occurred early Saturday morning.
Jackson is alleged to have fatally shot his 18-year-old son Sammy Deandre Jackson and to have wounded his 16-year-old son.
The Pike County Sheriff’s department received an emergency call at 8:04 a.m. Saturday morning and responded to reports of a shooting at 811 CR 1143.
Sheriff Russell Thomas was on the scene and shared what details he could about the case, “We received a call at 8:04 a.m. and dispatched units to 811 CR 1143 near Troy in response to reports of a shooting,” Thomas said. “It is a rural area–a mobile home located on a dirt road. When we arrived on the scene, we discovered a domestic violence situation that turned deadly.”
“There had been an argument last night between the husband and wife that carried over to the morning,” Thomas said. “This morning, the father took a 12-guage shotgun and moved to the rear of the trailer where he fatally shot his 18-year-old son. He then shot his 16-year-old son who escaped through an open window, which probably saved his life.”
“The younger son was transported to the hospital in a private vehicle,” Thomas said. “He is being treated at the hospital. He is going to be okay and survive. He was shot in the upper thigh, and some of the birdshot also hit his stomach.”
The 16-year-old son was transferred to Troy Regional Medical Center where he was being observed for non-life threatening injuries.
Thomas described the tragic scene awaiting officers when the arrived at the residence. “When we arrived, we found the 18-year-old face down,” Thomas said. “He had been shot fatally in the abdomen. I know both of these young men. I saw the 18-year-old play a football game last night in Sweet Water. I was around them until about 10 p.m. last night. I talked to their grandfather in my office earlier this week.”
Thomas gave his condolences to the family. “My heart, my prayers and all my sympathy go out to the family,” Thomas said. “I’ve talked to Coach Snyder. I’ve spoken with the superintendent and the principals at Goshen. We discussed what effect this will have on the students and what resources will be made available to them on Tuesday. This tragedy has touched a lot of people.”
Thomas said there had been a history of domestic violence in the household. “There was a history of domestic problems, but you never dream that it comes to this,” Thomas said.
Jackson is currently being held on a $150,000 bond at the Pike County Jail.
Jackson’s wife and 14-year-old daughter were in the residence at the time of the shooting, but neither was harmed during the incident.
The Pike County Sheriff’s department is being assisted in the investigation by the District Attorney’s office and Pike County Coroner Jerry Williams.