In the early morning hours of March 23, 2019, the life of 21-year-old Keon Lashawn Jackson, a Black male, was tragically cut short in Hot Springs, Arkansas. Responding to reports of gunfire around 2:20 a.m., police discovered Jackson lying on the ground in front of an apartment complex on Autumn Street. He was suffering from a gunshot wound to the right side of his neck and, despite immediate medical attention, was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigations into Jackson's death
revealed a fatal setup orchestrated under the guise of a drug deal. His girlfriend informed authorities that he had received a Facebook message from an acquaintance, 18-year-old Morgan Bailey Tollefson, who wanted to purchase marijuana. Unbeknownst to Jackson, this was a premeditated plan devised by Tollefson and 18-year-old Laquan Vontae Paskel to rob him.
Upon Jackson's arrival at the designated location, he was ambushed. Tollefson approached the passenger side of his vehicle while Paskel, armed with a handgun, confronted him on the driver's side, demanding his belongings. Authorities believe that when Jackson allegedly reached for a weapon of his own, Paskel shot him multiple times. Jackson managed to exit his car but collapsed nearby. Paskel and Tollefson then fled the scene in Jackson's vehicle, which they later abandoned in a vacant lot.
The ensuing investigation quickly led to the identification and apprehension of the two suspects. Laquan Vontae Paskel was arrested on March 24, 2019, followed by Morgan Bailey Tollefson's arrest on March 25, 2019. They were both charged with capital murder, aggravated robbery, and theft of property. Prosecutors later decided to waive the death penalty. In July 2020, both Paskel and Tollefson pleaded guilty to first-degree murder. Paskel was sentenced to 40 years in prison, while Tollefson received a 25-year sentence for her role in the crime.
