Event center murder suspect appeared in court, did not admit guilt

JACKSON, Tenn. — A man allegedly held responsible for shooting nine people and killing one woman at an events center in North Jackson early Sunday morning appeared in court Friday.

Matthew Berry faces a felony murder charge as well as attempted second-degree murder.

Berry nearly went to trial. His lawyer, Michael Burton, spoke on his behalf.

Berry denied the accusations. The state is requesting that Berry be held without bail.

“Due to the nature of the charges and the facts set forth in the arrest warrant, the state requests that he be arrested for a particularly aggravated murder,” the prosecution said.

“He will be held without bail. Without bail, yes,” Judge Blake Anderson said.

According to the warrant, around 1 a.m. on Oct. 20, the Jackson Police Department responded to 23-10 North Highland Boulevard for a shooting. Police teams arriving at the scene found that 9 people had been shot.

The two victims were airlifted to a hospital in Memphis. Lar’Curia Roberson was shot in the abdomen and forearm, and later died as a result of his injuries.

One of the victims was shot twice in the back and was later paralyzed as a result of the shooting. Officers investigated the scene and seized eight spent 9-millimeter casings and one live .38-caliber cartridge.

Preliminary forensic findings indicate that all eight spent shell casings collected were fired from the same firearm. It was positively determined in the six-man line-up that Berry was the person who opened fire on the crowd at the event center.

The shooting occurred inside the venue during what JPD said was a large party.

Click for the latest news on crime in West Tennessee Here.