A man in Alabama is charged with the brutal slaying of his grandfather and the shooting of three others after he kidnapped his own mother at gunpoint, forcing her to drive him from one crime scene to the other.
Kerry Jackson Jr., 31, is facing capital murder for two or more victims, capital murder during a kidnapping, and two counts of attempted murder.
Jackson Jr.'s grandfather, 76-year-old Anthony Jackson, and family friend, 49-year-old Laquitta Charisse Dunn, were fatally shot during the 31-year-old's killing spree on August 8, according to AL.com.
His father, Kerry Jackson Sr., and Anthony Jackson's longtime girlfriend, who is in her 80s, were also injured during the incident.
On Wednesday, Jackson Jr. appeared in court to hear the allegations against him.
His family members and the victims took more than two courtroom benches and included his mother, Bettey Jackson, who was there in support of her son despite being a victim to her son's crime.
Jefferson County District Judge William Bell ruled there was enough probable cause to forward the case to a grand jury for indictment consideration.
"Based on the testimony I've heard today, Mr. Jackson, it's clear to me you are the person responsible for all four people shot,'' said Bell.
On Thursday, August 8, the suspect's mother and father left him home to pick up food for his grandmother, Bessie Jackson.
Bessie later told Birmingham homicide Detective Kristopher Hatcher that while watching television, she noticed Jackson Jr. was walking around the house, brandishing a gun.
It was just moments later when gunshots rang out.
Bettey Jackson received a phone call saying Jackson Jr. had shot Dunn.
Upon arriving at the scene, Jackson Sr. proceeded to get out of the car, and that's when Jackson Jr. shot him multiple times as he exited the home.
He then put a gun to his mother's head and ordered her to drive him to an address just a few blocks away.
She said she heard gunshots go off after her son entered that home, prompting her to flee.
She stopped at a nearby gas station for help, but when she couldn't find anyone, she called 911 and retreated back to her own home.
Kerry Jackson Sr., who was shot a number of times, was hospitalized with critical injuries and is currently recovering.
Anthony Jackson was pronounced dead at the scene, and the surviving woman was taken to the hospital.
Following a massive search that included a helicopter, Jackson Jr. was apprehended.
Hatcher initially did not know how many gunshots were fired; however, after questioning by Jefferson County Deputy District Attorney Charissa Henrich, he said it was enough that Kerry Jackson Jr. had to reload his gun at least once.
Detectives attempted to interview the suspect but to no avail.
"He was emotional,'' Hatcher said, "and eventually refused to speak."
A motive remains unclear, but the suspect's mother revealed her son struggled with drug addiction and was reportedly involved in some sort of ritual.
Several family members told police he just "snapped."
Jackson Jr. is being held without bond.
