In the early morning hours of a December day in Jackson, Tennessee, the life of 47-year-old Charlene Allbright was tragically cut short. On December 17, 2019, at approximately 4:15 a.m., she was fatally shot inside her own home in the eastern part of the city. Her death was not an isolated incident but part of a string of violent shootings that unfolded overnight, also claiming the life of 26-year-old Shartavis Rollins. Investigators quickly determined that these events were not random acts of violence but were connected in a troubling series of retaliatory actions.
The investigation into the shootings led authorities to 23-year-old Aleriq Smith. He was arrested on January 26, 2020, and subsequently charged with felony murder in connection with Charlene Allbright's death. The evidence revealed that Smith had fired multiple shots into Allbright's residence from a white Buick, inflicting the fatal gunshot wounds. Despite efforts to save her, Allbright succumbed to her injuries. The investigation placed Smith at the scene of both the shooting that killed Allbright and the one that resulted in the death of Shartavis Rollins, cementing his involvement in the violent spree.
The legal proceedings that followed brought a measure of justice for Charlene Allbright and her family. Aleriq Smith was convicted on multiple charges, including first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. In March 2023, he was sentenced to life in prison for his crimes. The District Attorney General, Jody Pickens, spoke to the devastating impact of the cycle of violence, emphasizing that the community would not stand for such senseless acts and that Smith's actions had resulted in the death of an innocent woman. The conviction and sentencing of Smith marked the culmination of the Jackson Police Department's diligent work in bringing the person responsible for Charlene Allbright's death to justice.
