BREAKING NEWS 1
Published 12:00 am Friday, December 4, 2015
Quendarius Robinson arrives at the Panola County Jail in custody of Sheriff Dennis Darby Monday afternoon. Authorities arrested Robinson at a residence on Martin Luther King Drive in Batesville without incident. Pictured at left are Deputy Buck Harris and U.S. Marshal Clint Roberson. At right is Lt. Edward Dickson. The Panolian photo by Emily Williams
Cearea Jackson, seen here in a 2011 photo, played basketball at North Panola High School.
Emma Jackson
Suspect in Como murders arrested
By Rupert Howell and Emily Williams
By Rupert Howell and Emily Williams
“Except by the grace of God, you could be looking at a murder charge,” Batesville Municipal Judge Bill McKenzie told Quendarius Brejuan Robinson following denial of a reduction for his $200,000 bond during a preliminary hearing for aggravated assault in March of 2014.
Now Robinson is looking at two murder charges after he was located and arrested early Monday afternoon at 206 MLK in Batesville.
Como Police Chief Earl Burdette announced earlier that Robinson, 24, of Batesville had been charged with two counts of murder in two shooting deaths Friday night in Como.
“We believe he is in hiding and being aided by a family member,” Chief Burdette stated Sunday during a press conference and noted anyone assisting Robinson could be charged with accessory after the fact of murder.
On Monday law enforcement officials were manning stake outs and awaiting Robinson to show.
Authorities had been looking for Robinson since the Friday night shooting at 318 Church Street in Como that claimed the lives of Emma Jackson, 68, and her granddaughter, Cearea Jackson, 22. He was initially sought as a “person of interest.”
The Jacksons were pronounced dead at the home about 10 p.m. Panola County Coroner Gracie Gulledge said.
Two young children belonging to one of the victims were at the home at the time of the shooting.
Mississippi Representative Lataisha Jackson, who is not related but a Como neighbor of the victims, said shortly after the shooting on Facebook, “Tonight, I stood in disbelief, shock and hurt while speechless and effortless yet in solidarity for the loss to our family and community. With a heavy heart, I left Church Street in prayer for strength, comfort, and peace that surpasses all understanding. In respect to the family and community’s shock and disbelief, I pray that we can be gentle and comforting to one another. My condolences and prayers are with all that mourn.”
Criminal history
Robinson pleaded guilty in June to aggravated assault and was sentenced to three years of reporting probation and 10 years of non-reporting probation by Circuit Judge Gerald Chatham, according to Panola County Circuit Clerk’s office.
That plea came from the February 27, 2014 shooting of Brandon Chapman in the Hoskins Road area of Batesville following a dice game.
Testimony during that preliminary hearing revealed that Chapman was airlifted to the MED in Memphis and survived. He had called 911 after the shooting while hiding—afraid that he was going to “bleed out.” Chapman survived the February 2014 shooting and Robinson was later sentenced to probation.
Panolian files reveal that Robinson was arrested and charged with assault on a school official in February of 2009.
Burdette had warned that Robinson should be considered “armed and dangerous,” but the arrest was made without incident.
The Monday afternoon arrest was made by the Panola County Sheriff’s Department and the US Marshals Fugitive Task Force with the Batesville Police Department assisting after receiving a tip.
“This arrest was the result of the combined efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies,” said Deputy Clint Roberson of the Marshals Task Force.
Mississippi Bureau of Investigation had aided in the search and investigation according to Chief Burdette.
Donations sought for victim’s children
Friends in Como have set up a bank account to accept donations for the needs of Cearea Jackson’s two children, ages 4 and two months. The children are being cared for by a relative. Anyone who wants to contribute may leave a contribution at any branch of First Security Bank. The account is in the name of Elois Davis, who is the mother of Cearea Jackson.
