Jackson Free Press

Statement from Jackson City Hall on the arrest made in the shooting death of Jackson State University student Nolan Ryan Henderson at an off-campus party over the weekend:

On Sunday March 25, 2012, the Jackson Police Department was called to the 1400 Block of Valley Street (Palisades Apartments) in reference to a shooting. Police found 19-year-old Nolan Ryan Henderson shot. Henderson was pronounced dead at the scene.

Interviews have revealed that the victim allegedly had been in a physical altercation at the apartment's swimming pool with several JSU football players. Reportedly, the victim left and returned to confront the individuals.

Detectives have interviewed individuals who they have determined were at or near the location when the shooting took place. One of the individuals interviewed was 25-year-old Jarrod Emerson, who is a cousin of the deceased victim. Emerson stated that the victim called him and asked him to come over because he had been assaulted.

Emerson, reportedly then went and met with the victim at Hwy 80 and Lynch Street. Emerson stated that he and Nolan Henderson proceeded back to the Palisades Apartments to confront the persons responsible for assaulting the victim. Emerson was armed and confronted several individuals at the complex. Emerson reportedly pulled his weapon and fired several shots, and everyone scattered and ran.

The victim Nolan Henderson was shot during this time.

Ballistics tests have been conducted by the Mississippi State Crime Lab on the projectile recovered from the victim as well as the weapon that Emerson fired. Those tests revealed that the projectile recovered from the victim matched the weapon that Emerson was firing.

Jarrod Emerson was arrested this afternoon and charged with the murder of Nolan Ryan.