Occurred in the wee hours of the morning
According to police reports, B.J. was found lying near the cashier’s counter when officers arrived on scene at the Speedway gas station located in the 1300 block of East Main Street early Sunday morning. Officers stated the boy had been shot at around 12:45 a.m., suffering one gunshot wound to his upper right shoulder and another to his back right side. He was pronounced dead at the scene. B.J.’s death marks the 11th homicide in Springfield in 2017.
Shooter questioned and released
Springfield Police Captain Michael Varner said police had questioned the shooter involved in the case and he has been released. Police have declined to identify him at this time. No charges have been filed, as police are still investigating. The case will go in front of a Clark County grand jury to determine if the shooter should be charged.
Mother detained for crossing police line
B.J.’s mother, Mandy Jackson, said she was told her son had been shot by his girlfriend. When she arrived at the scene, she said she did not realize a covered body with a pile of clothes next to it was her son. She was placed in handcuffs and detained in a cruiser after she crossed posted police tape cordoning off the scene. Jackson said she crossed the line because no one had informed her B.J. had died from his injuries.
» MORE COVERAGE: Dozens attend vigil for teen killed in shooting at Springfield gas station
Claims of a fight and ‘self-defense’
Jackson said she believes the unidentified shooter involved in the case had been involved in a fight with her son and is claiming self-defense.
“My son is 15 years-old,” Jackson said. “He was not armed. He did not have a gun.”
Police have declined to comment on the allegation. Anyone with any information about the shooting is encouraged to call Springfield Police at 937-324-7716.
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