Full Notification

Teen to be Tried as Adult in July Double Shooting and Homicide in Parkway East Apartments

Jernigel Blackwell, also known as Jernigel Waller, 17, of Jackson, will be tried as adult in connection with a July double shooting in Parkway East Apartments that critically injured one man and killed Shomari Peterson, 17.

After a transfer hearing today in Madison County Juvenile Court, Judge Christy Little determined that there was sufficient probable cause and ruled that Blackwell can be tried as adult.

Judge Little ordered that Blackwell be held with no bond. He was transported to the Madison County Jail.

The charges against Blackwell and an adult co-defendant, Jakeil Waller, 21, of Jackson, will next be presented to the Madison County Grand Jury. Both are charged with the first-degree murder of Peterson and attempted first-degree murder of a 21-year-old man.

On July 27 at about 5:07 p.m., Jackson police were called about two people shot outside Parkway East Apartments at 33 Carver Avenue. Peterson and the 21-year-old man, both of Jackson, had been shot. Peterson was pronounced dead at the scene. The 21-year-old man was transported by ambulance to Jackson-Madison County General Hospital and was released days later.

The investigation determined that Jernigel Blackwell and Jakeil Waller both shot into a crowd of people striking both victims.

Jackson police arrested Blackwell July 28 and Waller on July 29.

Jackson City Court Judge Blake Anderson bound the charges against Waller to the grand jury following an Aug. 21 preliminary hearing in City Court. Waller is also being held at the Madison County Jail with no bond.

Pic 1 Blackwell
Pic 2 Waller