In the early hours of March 6, 2020, a young man’s life was tragically cut short in Jackson, Michigan. James Henry Cooper-Robertson, a 25-year-old male, was found unresponsive outside of Duffy’s Food & Spirits after being shot. He was rushed to Henry Ford Allegiance Health but succumbed to his injuries shortly after arrival. The Jackson Police Department quickly ruled his death a homicide, beginning an investigation into the senseless act of violence that had taken a beloved son, brother,
and friend.
James was known by his loved ones as a 'big teddy bear,' a caring and compassionate individual with a larger-than-life personality and an infectious smile. He worked as a Certified Nursing Assistant at Highland Assisted Living and Memory Care, where he was cherished by both residents and their families for his kindness and ability to bring joy to those he cared for. His mother, Katrina Cooper-Oliver, remembers her last words to him were 'I love you, son,' a final exchange before a trip to Las Vegas from which she would be devastatingly called back. The news of his death sent shockwaves through his family and the community, who mourned the loss of a man known for his big heart and gentle spirit.
The investigation into James's murder led to the arrest of Franky Ackley Jr. The motive for the fatal shooting appeared to stem from a dispute over a woman. During Ackley's sentencing on March 1, 2023, Jackson County Circuit Court Judge John McBain noted that Ackley had been seen on video walking through the bar as if 'on a mission' before the confrontation. The judge expressed his belief that the act may have been premeditated, stating, 'I think you were there that night to shoot Coop.'
Franky Ackley Jr. was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison for the second-degree murder of James Henry Cooper-Robertson. At the sentencing, Katrina Cooper-Oliver delivered a powerful victim impact statement, describing the profound and unending grief of losing her only child. She spoke of the loving son who was a brother to his siblings, an uncle to his adoring nieces and nephews, and a role model to his cousins. Her words painted a heart-wrenching picture of a family shattered by a needless act of violence, forever changing the course of their lives.
