Police investigate fatal Christmas Day shooting

Antonio Marquell Jackson

Antonio Jermaine Allen

Staff report

Salisbury Police aren't exactly sure what prompted a fatal shooting early Christmas morning at a home at 1024 North Jackson St.

Police say there was a party with as many as two dozen people when 23-year-old Antonio Marquell Jackson, pulled a pistol and shot 27-year-old Antonio Jermaine Allen.

Police responding to a "shots-fired" disturbance found Allen dead.

Chief Mark Wilhelm said today that police interviewed several witnesses. None indicated there was an argument between Jackson and Allen prior to the shooting.

It was the second time Allen had been shot.

In 2004, Allen was shot while trying to elude police after fleeing a traffic checkpoint in East Spencer.

Officers were conducting a routine stop at the intersection of Choate and Old Union Church Roads in July 2004.

Officers recognized Allen who was in the back seat and attempted to arrest him on a probation violation.

During a struggle, Allen somehow managed to get into the front seat of the car and drove off. As he left, his vehicle, a Nissan Maxima, hit Deputy J.K. Collins, knocking him to the ground.

Sgt. James Schmierer fired at the fleeing suspect.

A short time later Allen lost control of the car, and wrecked at the intersection of Andrews Street and Tanglewood Drive.

He jumped and ran, but didn't get far because of the gunshot wound to his leg.

Allen was convicted on multipe charges related to the incident, and sentenced to almost two years in prison. He was released in December 2007, according to the N.C. Department of Corrections website.

Wilhelm said District Attorney Bill Kenerly will decide on what degree of murder charge Jackson will face.