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Jackson police have charged Jeremy Echols, 25, of Jackson, with first-degree murder for last Tuesday’s shooting death of James Roberson, 25, of Jackson.

Echols is in custody at the Madison County Jail and will be arraigned via video link at 8 a.m. Wednesday in Jackson City Court.

Around 9:15 a.m. Jan. 20, police were called about a shooting. When officers arrived, they discovered Roberson’s body lying on the ground beside a parked car at 12 Woodberry Trail.

Based on initial information, Roberson was picking up a friend at 12 Woodberry Trail. As Roberson and the friend were sitting in a car, the suspect pulled onto Woodberry Trail, parked and got out of a white Nissan Maxima. The suspect then approached Roberson’s car and fired multiple times, striking the car. Roberson’s passenger was able to get out of the car, uninjured. As Roberson was attempting to get out, he was shot by the suspect.

Echols was developed as a person of interest. After further investigation, police investigators determined that Echols had motive and carried out a plan to kill Roberson. Investigators cannot release details of the motive at this time due to the ongoing investigation.

Echols was arrested Monday and transported to the Madison County Jail.
Echols has pending charges out of Jackson City Court for unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and theft for possessing a stolen handgun out of Henderson County. He was arrested for those charges in Jackson last Wednesday when investigators executed a search warrant on Brookhaven Drive in Jackson in connection to the homicide investigation.

Echols was released from jail on Saturday after posting a $150,000 bond. His court date for those charges is on Feb. 5 at 9:30 a.m. in Jackson City Court.

Echols has convictions for a 2008 felony evading arrest and a 2012 charge of possession of marijuana with intent to sell, both out of Madison County.