Do you know who murdered Colin Jackson in 2016?
In the fall of 2016, the life of a young Knoxville man was tragically cut short, leaving a void in the community and a case that continues to seek answers. Colin Dustin Jackson, a 25-year-old African-American male, was found deceased on Friday, September 23, 2016. His girlfriend made the heartbreaking discovery inside his apartment at the Morningside Hill Apartments on Dandridge Avenue after being unable to reach him throughout the day. When she returned home from work, she found Jackson had been fatally shot. The Knoxville Police Department responded to the scene shortly before 4 p.m. and immediately began investigating his death as a homicide.
Colin Jackson, born on October 30, 1990, was a 2010 graduate of Austin-East High School. Known to many in the local music scene as Colin Greens Hefner, he was pursuing a career as a rap artist. Beyond his musical aspirations, he was known for his community involvement and his charitable contributions to the homeless. He had previously been employed at Buddy's Bar-B-Q and O'Reilly Auto Parts. His sudden death sent shockwaves through his circle of family and friends, who remember him as a beloved son, brother, and partner.
Despite the passage of years, the investigation into Colin Jackson's murder has remained open, yet no arrests have been made, and no suspects have been publicly identified. Investigators believe that the shooting was not a random act and that Jackson was likely targeted, as the incident occurred within his own apartment. The door to his apartment was shut when he was found, suggesting he may have known his assailant. In the years following his death, the Knoxville Police Department has continued to seek new leads, at one point re-canvassing the apartment complex in an effort to gather fresh information.
The absence of resolution has been a heavy burden for Jackson's family, particularly his mother, Carolyn Jackson. She has made public pleas for anyone with information, no matter how insignificant it may seem, to come forward and help bring justice for her son. The community has held memorials in his honor, including a balloon release and a memorial cypher, to celebrate his life and keep his memory alive. As of now, the case remains an unsolved homicide, a painful reminder of a life taken too soon and a family still waiting for closure.
