On Christmas Eve in 2018, Richard Helom Jr., a 35-year-old Black man, was fatally shot at a hair studio in Jackson, Mississippi. The incident, which took place around 11:30 a.m., stemmed from a verbal altercation that escalated into violence. Helom, a father of four who resided in Nashville, Tennessee, had returned to his hometown of Jackson to celebrate the holidays with his family.
He had promised his mother and grandmother he would be there for Christmas after being unable to make it for Thanksgiving.
The shooting occurred at the Chosen Juan Hair Studio on Buchanan Street. Witnesses reported that a dispute erupted between Helom and another man, later identified as Don Brown. The argument intensified, leading to the fatal shooting of Helom. The suspect, known by the nickname 'Red,' fled the scene in a dark-colored four-door sedan. He was described as a light-complexioned Black male, approximately six feet tall.
In a surprising turn of events, the primary suspect, 34-year-old Don Brown, voluntarily surrendered to the authorities on the evening of Christmas Day. Brown, who was a childhood friend of Helom's, was subsequently charged with murder. The families of both men were left reeling from the tragedy, with Helom's family expressing their profound grief and devastation over the loss of a beloved son, father, and brother. They remembered him as a man who loved sports and was dedicated to motivating children.
Following his arrest, Don Brown awaited his initial court appearance. Helom's family voiced their anguish over the senseless act of violence and urged for an end to such tragedies. The father of the victim expressed his profound disappointment when Brown's bond was set at $200,000, viewing it as a lenient penalty for the taking of his son's life. The family proceeded to make funeral arrangements, scheduling a service for early January to lay their loved one to rest.
