Johnnie Lee McDonald, a 42-year-old Black man described by loved ones as a good man, was a graduate of Velma Jackson schools and an employee at Bell Fence in Jackson, Mississippi. His life was remembered with affection by his family, including a niece who wrote, "I Love You Uncle Johnnie Get Your Rest."
In the early hours of Monday, September 26, 2022, Mr. McDonald was at the America's Best Inn on Highway 80 in Jackson.
According to police, he was confronted by a man who accused him of damaging a vehicle during a previous incident at the motel. The situation escalated, and Mr. McDonald retreated to his own vehicle. The other man followed him and fired multiple shots, striking Mr. McDonald in the chest. Mr. McDonald attempted to drive away but succumbed to his injuries inside his car at the scene.
The Jackson Police Department investigated the homicide and identified a suspect. The following day, on September 27, 2022, 31-year-old Kentarrian Blanchard turned himself in to authorities at the police department. Another man who was with Blanchard, Roderick Evans, was initially taken into custody on an accessory charge, but he was later released and the charge was dismissed due to insufficient evidence.
Kentarrian Blanchard was charged with the murder of Johnnie McDonald. As of the last public update in September 2022, Blanchard was awaiting his initial appearance in court as his case began to move through the legal system.
