In the winter of 2015, the city of Memphis was unsettled by a series of violent events that would ultimately be linked to the tragic death of Todd Jones. A 44-year-old African-American male, Jones became a victim of a targeted homicide on January 8, 2015. He was fatally shot in North Memphis, on Lake Grove Road near Chelsea Avenue, in an incident that also involved other victims.
The circumstances of his death prompted a thorough investigation by the Memphis Police Department, which was later assisted by the Cold Case Unit to re-examine evidence and pursue new leads.
The investigation into the deadly shooting spree led to the identification and arrest of multiple suspects. The case against them was built around their connection to not only the murder of Todd Jones but also the deaths of Michael Glover, Anthony Isom, and Casity Springfield. The subsequent legal proceedings brought two individuals, Tony Thomas and Laronda Turner, to trial. After a week-long trial, a jury found both Thomas and Turner guilty of first-degree murder for their roles in the violent episode that claimed multiple lives.
A third individual, Demarco Hawkins, was also implicated in the string of shootings and faced charges in connection with the case. While Tony Thomas and Laronda Turner were convicted for their involvement, the legal proceedings for Demarco Hawkins were reported to be pending as of 2019. The successful investigation and the convictions of two of the perpetrators brought a measure of resolution to a violent chapter in the city's history, highlighting the collaborative efforts of law enforcement to bring those responsible to justice.
