Lee Vance, Chief Of Police

Jackson Police Department

327 East Pascagoula Street
Jackson, MS 39205
website: www.jacksonms.gov

For Immediate Release

MEDIA / PUBLIC RELEASE
Date: July 18, 2016
Commander Tyree Jones
Major Investigations/Office of Public Information
Tel #: 601-960-2302 or 601-960-1278
tjones@jacksonms.gov
On Monday, July 18, 2016 at approx. 9:57 AM, Jackson Police Officers responded to Newman
Ave. near Northside Dr. regarding what appeared to be an accident with injuries. Upon officers
arrival it was learned that Kanedra Hawkins, 25, had been struck by a motor vehicle and was
pronounced deceased on scene.
During the course of the investigation, it was learned that the victim was a passenger in a green
SUV with her ex-boyfriend, Eric Townsend. There was a physical altercation in the vehicle
between the two of them. Townsend allegedly physically assaulted the victim and pushed her
from the vehicle near the intersection. He then used the SUV to strike her at least once as she lay
on the ground which resulted in fatal injuries. He then fled the scene to an unknown location.
Eric Townsend later turned himself into Robbery/Homicide Detectives at Police Headquarters.
He is in custody and will be charged with Murder.
Suspect:
Eric Townsend-32