Justin Roach

Justin Roach was a bright and engaged 21-year-old student at Jackson State University, a historically Black university in Jackson, Mississippi. As a sophomore, he was pursuing a degree in Industrial Engineering and was known for being very active in student life on campus. His sudden death in early 2018 cut short a promising future and sent a wave of shock and sadness through the university community.

On the evening of Friday, January 12, 2018, a tragic event unfolded inside the One University Place apartments on J. R. Lynch Street, a student housing complex on the JSU campus. Just before 7:30 p.m., police and first responders were called to the location, where they discovered Justin Roach deceased inside one of the apartments. The initial discovery prompted an immediate and thorough investigation by the Jackson Police Department to determine the circumstances of the young man's death.

Investigators quickly began processing the scene and speaking with individuals who were in the apartment at the time. According to a statement from Jackson Police Department Sgt. Roderick Holmes, evidence gathered at the scene indicated that Justin, a Black male, had been handling a firearm when it discharged. The bullet struck him in the chest, inflicting a fatal wound. Based on the evidence and information obtained during their initial inquiries, police determined that the shooting was accidental.

The day after the incident, the Jackson Police Department publicly identified Justin and announced that his death had been ruled accidental. Authorities confirmed that the fatal wound was the result of the gun accidentally discharging while he was handling it. With this determination, police stated that no suspects were being sought in connection with the death and that no arrests were pending. The case was to be investigated as an accidental shooting, bringing a swift, though tragic, conclusion to the public mystery surrounding the event.

The news of Justin’s death deeply affected the Jackson State University family. Dr. William B. Bynum Jr., the university's president at the time, issued a statement extending heartfelt sympathy to Justin's family on behalf of the entire institution. Recognizing the profound impact such a loss would have on students and faculty, the university moved to provide support for its grieving community. Counseling services were made available through the Latasha Norman Center for Counseling for any students, faculty, or staff who needed assistance in coping with the tragedy.

The investigation into Justin Roach's death was concluded by the Jackson Police Department, with the official finding remaining an accidental, self-inflicted shooting. While the university and his loved ones were left to mourn the loss of a vibrant young man, the official inquiry found no evidence of foul play. The case stands as a painful reminder of a life ended too soon, leaving a somber memory for all who knew him. As of January 2018, the investigation was considered ongoing only to finalize the accidental death ruling.