“This young man died because of a pair of tennis shoes,” says JPD chief

Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade said a suspect is in custody after a fatal shooting over a pair of shoes.

“This young man died because of a pair of tennis shoes,” Wade said. “He refused to give up his shoes, was shot in the head and had his shoes taken away.”

Wade said the shooting happened Tuesday in a doorway at the Pine Ridge Gardens Apartments. Wade said the 44-year-old victim was shot when he refused to give up his Nike Air Jordans.

According to police, the victim suffered a gunshot wound to the head.

“He doesn’t have any shoes on now because they took them away from him after they took his life,” Wade said. “This is incredible.”

Police said they identified the suspect as 23-year-old Curtis “Scooter” Sawyer. An arrest warrant was issued for Sawyer for murder.

Jackson Police Department

Sawyer was in Rankin County where police say a chase ensued.

Wade said with the assistance of Brandon and Pearl police, the suspect was arrested. Sawyer was turned over to Jackson police.

The victim’s name will not be released until his next of kin is notified, the chief said. The man did not live at the apartment complex. Police said he may have been there to visit someone.

Anyone with information that can help police is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 601-355-TIPS.