By T. Scott Boatright
Willie Derrick Jackson, 55, remains in the Lincoln Parish Detention Center Thursday night facing charges of second-degree murder.
According to Jackson’s arrest affidavit, Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to a call in the 400 block of Heard Road around 8:30 p.m. Monday in reference to a shooting.
Deputies reported that Jackson was the caller and said that he had shot a person inside his home.
Inside the home LPSO deputies found James Lamont Belton deceased on a couch.
Following an investigation Jackson was arrested shortly after 2 a.m. Tuesday and charged with second-degree murder.
Jackson’s arrest affidavit said that Jackson told deputies he and Melton were “hanging out drinking” and that Melton became angry and frustrated. Deputies said Jackson couldn’t elaborate as to why that happened.
Deputies reported that Jackson said he then became concerned over Melton’s actions and retrieved a handgun from his bedroom, tucking it in his waistband before returning to the living room.
Jackson then told investigators Melton continued acting agitated, so Jackson asked him to leave. Jackson told the deputies that Melton then lunged at him and Jackson pulled the gun from his waistband and it fell to the floor. Jackson said that as he picked up his gun, Melton again lunged at him.
In response Jackson said he then shot Melton, who fell to the couch before getting back up. Jackson told deputies he then shot Melton again.
According to Jackson’s arrest affidavit, Jackson believed Melton might have been armed with a knife Jackson had seen earlier in the day, but no knife or other weapon was found by deputies at the scene.
Deputies also said that Jackson could not fully explain why he felt in fear of his life enough to justify the shooting.
Jackson remained in the Lincoln Parish Detention Center on Thursday night with a $200,000 bond.
Willie Derrick Jackson photo courtesy of Lincoln Parish Sheriff’s Office