Three-year-old shot in early morning drive-by

A WLBT report

JACKSON – Two people, including a three year-old girl are recovering in the hospital after being shot early Wednesday morning. The shooting happened at the Timber Ridge townhouses, located in South Jackson.

Several residents say they heard the shots ring out.

“When I heard that it was a three year-old I just thought about my son and when I heard the shots, I immediately grabbed my baby,” said Timber Ridge resident Rochatta Champion.

Champion and Tremain Carter live in the Timber Ridge complex with Champion’s two small children. Champion and Carter were awake when the shooting occurred.

“It sounded like I heard about 9 shots, about 8 or 9 shots,” said Carter.

Champion said, “This is the first time I actually heard any gunshots over here.”

Jackson police say they’re looking for two suspects. They drove onto the Timber Ridge property in a maroon car. Shots were fired into a black Nissan where 21 year-old David Martin was shot in the head. Twenty-five-year-old Timothy Bowie was pierced with glass. After Martin was shot, a stray bullet struck a 3 year-old girl in the back. She was inside of a townhouse at the time.

“That could have been my child, that’s the first thing I thought,” Carter told WLBT News.

Champion and Carter say they haven’t experienced any serious violence living in Timber Ridge. However, about six months ago, there was an attempted robbery. The robber broke the window of their front door, but wasn’t able to get in because of a deadbolt.

“My neighbor next door actually had his home burglarized and he moved the next day,” said Champion.

Coincidentally, the family was supposed to move on Thursday. The mother of two said area crime and incidents like Wednesday’s shooting played a role in her decision.

“It could have easily been my son, it could have been anyone’s child and I’m just blessed that it wasn’t mine,” said Champion.

Martin and the three year-old girl are recovering at UMC in stable condition. Jackson police need your help locating the shooters. Call Crimestoppers at 601-355-TIPS if you have more information.