Ladarius Jackson, a 17-year-old Black male from Athens, Texas, was known to friends as "LJ" or "Doolie." Remembered as a "hilarious and the sweetest soul you could ever meet," he worked at a Sonic in Malakoff. His life was cut short in a violent encounter on the night of March 23, 2023.
Around 9:50 p.m. that Thursday, police were called to the Royal Crest Apartments on Sybil Lane in Tyler for a report of a shooting.
In the parking lot, they discovered Ladarius and his 19-year-old associate, Donovan Dodd, also of Athens, deceased inside a vehicle from multiple gunshot wounds. According to an arrest affidavit, the two had arranged to meet 20-year-old Aaron Johnson to trade a Springfield XD 9mm pistol and $400 for an AR-15 rifle.
The affidavit states that Johnson entered the backseat of an SUV occupied by Ladarius and Dodd. After Johnson handed over the AR-15, Ladarius allegedly refused to give him the cash. A struggle ensued, during which Ladarius reportedly shot Johnson in the leg with the 9mm pistol. Johnson told investigators he then managed to take the pistol away and fired several rounds, fatally wounding both Ladarius and Dodd. Johnson fled to a nearby residence on Park Place, where he called for emergency services. He was transported to a local hospital, treated for his injury, and released.
The investigation led to the arrests of Johnson, who was charged with capital murder, and 18-year-old Nicholas Hudson of Malakoff, who was charged with two counts of murder. Investigators said Hudson admitted to coordinating the firearm exchange and acknowledged he was aware that Dodd and Ladarius planned to rob Johnson. Johnson’s bond was set at $2 million, while Hudson’s bonds totaled $2 million.
On April 10, 2023, a third suspect, 19-year-old Lakimbrick Horn of Tyler, surrendered to authorities. He was booked into the Smith County Jail on a charge of capital murder and possession of marijuana, with a collective bond of $1,250,000. Investigators believe Horn also played a role in setting up the exchange with the intent to rob Johnson. As of April 2023, the case was proceeding through the legal system. The investigation is active, and the Tyler Police Department has asked anyone with information to contact them at (903) 531-1000.
