JSU student murder investigation - MSNewsNow.com - Jackson, MS

JSU student murder investigation

The Jackson Police Department needs your help catching the person who took the life of a Jackson State University student. JSU freshman, Nolan Ryan Henderson was fatally shot and killed near the University early Sunday morning.

On Monday, students gathered outside of Henderson's first floor Alexander Hall dorm room. They took turns writing various messages and memories about their slain classmate.

"Everybody loved Nolan he was cool, he had just got a job down here at UPS, he was getting ready to work, he was a real cool guy," said JSU freshman Jonnequia Cabett.

Henderson was shot in the face and killed after a party at the Palisades Apartment Complex near JSU around 1:00 Sunday morning. JSU officials said the 19 year-old freshman was a biology major who was a good student.

David Hoard, the Vice President for Institutional Advancement at JSU said the campus is offering grief counseling to students and Henderson's family.

"We have been in contact with the mother, the father is arriving today," said Hoard.

Although the murder took place off campus, Hoard said there has been an increase in University security.

"We have increased security patrols in the evenings and during the day, we have also double checked, triple checked all of our security systems involving card access to the dormitory facilities," Hoard told WLBT.

JSU senior Carmen Torres didn't know Henderson personally. However, she said his death has sparked her to organize a "Stop the Violence" walk sometime soon.

"This could have been anyone that could have died, it could've been you it could've been anyone in your family it just needs to stop," said Torres.

While students try to keep their spirits up, they said it's still hard to believe they won't see their friend on campus again.

"The day before he got killed, I talked to him at a Sigma house party," said JSU freshman Tyree Camphor.

Jackson State University will hold a candlelight vigil for Henderson at 7 P.M. Monday, on the plaza.

If you have any information that could lead to an arrest in this case, please call the Jackson Police Department at 601-960-1234.

Copyright 2011 WLBT. All rights reserved.