In a tragic turn of events on a Wednesday night in January 2014, Johnny Shivers, a 36-year-old man, was killed in his Jackson, Tennessee, home. The incident, which also resulted in the death of his 21-year-old stepson, Markel Owens, unfolded as a violent home invasion and robbery.
That evening, as Johnny Shivers and his 16-year-old son were returning to their duplex on Walker Road, they were ambushed by two masked gunmen.
The armed intruders forced them inside the apartment, where Owens and his mother, Chermaine Owens, were present. The assailants demanded money, leading to a physical struggle. In the ensuing chaos, both Johnny Shivers and Markel Owens were fatally shot. Chermaine Owens was also shot and injured during the attack. The robbers managed to escape with a significant amount of cash. Investigators later discovered a large quantity of marijuana in the residence, leading them to believe that Shivers was specifically targeted by individuals who had prior knowledge of drugs or money being in the home.
The investigation into the double homicide led to the swift arrest of Derrick Wade, 22, of Jackson. He was charged with two counts of felony murder for the deaths of Shivers and Owens, especially aggravated robbery, attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault, and tampering with evidence. It was determined that one of the intruders had been shot in the thigh during the altercation, and evidence indicated that Wade was the injured individual who had sought medical treatment in Memphis after the incident.
Further investigation led to the arrests of two other men in connection with the crime. Johnny Wade and Craig Taylor were also charged. Johnny Wade was ultimately sentenced to life in prison. Derrick Wade received a 30-year prison sentence. Craig Taylor, who was believed to have been the getaway driver, pleaded guilty to accessory after the fact and received a four-year sentence, to be served concurrently with a life sentence for an unrelated murder. In a related case, Rodarrous Bond was convicted of conspiracy to commit the murders of Chermaine Owens-Shivers and her teenage son, who were witnesses to the original crime. The plot was reportedly orchestrated by Johnny Wade from jail. Bond was sentenced to 23 years in prison.
