In the late summer of 2024, a wave of violence was sweeping through Jackson, Mississippi, and on September 4th, it tragically claimed the life of 21-year-old Carderius Gemon Hathorn. A Black male, Hathorn was discovered inside a vehicle in the 100 block of Cedars of Lebanon around 2:30 in the afternoon. He had been shot multiple times. First responders pronounced him deceased at the scene, his death adding to the city's growing number of homicides.
Remembered as a beacon of light, joy,
and love, Hathorn had graduated from Leake Central High School in 2021. Friends and family described him as a hardworking and dedicated young man who was wise beyond his years. He had worked for both FedEx and Amazon and harbored a dream of one day owning a farm with plenty of land and animals. His untimely death left a void in the lives of his parents, siblings, and a wide circle of relatives and friends who cherished him.
The investigation into Hathorn's murder led authorities to a suspect who, on October 14, 2024, turned himself in to the Jackson Police Department. The individual was identified as Jonathan Fortenberry. Following his surrender, Fortenberry was officially charged with the murder of Carderius Hathorn, marking a significant development in a case that had deeply affected the community.
