Jackson Free Press

Yesterday, the Jackson Police Department released ComStat crime figures for the week of Sept. 14 through Sept. 20. The report shows that major crime statistics in Jackson dropped again last week, although violent crimes rose from the previous week. Total major crimes this year are a scant 0.2 percent down from last year's numbers.

Sunday morning's incident at the Birdland nightclub, where 27-year-old Pearl resident Yatasha Johnson was killed and four others wounded, allegedly including the gunman, provided a tragic increase to Jackson's homicide and aggravated assault numbers.

WAPT reported Monday that witnesses claim the shooting was a result of an argument between two men, one of whom started shooting. A stray bullet hit Johnson in the face, and the other victims were shot when club patrons attempted to subdue the shooter. Jackson police have issued a warrant for Alvin Brown, 19, injured at the scene, for one count of murder and three counts of aggravated assault. Police will take Brown into custody when he is released from the hospital.

With the Birdland shooting, total violent crimes increased by 28 percent over the previous week, although year over year, the numbers are still down by 14.5 percent. Property crimes were down by 6.8 percent over the previous week, but show a slight 2.2 percent increase over the previous year.