On March 15, 2009, 39-year-old Brennan ’B.J.’ Jackson was shot and killed at his home on the 1400 block of Avenue I in the Ensley neighborhood of Birmingham, Alabama. The killing followed a planned meeting at Jackson’s residence to buy ten pounds of marijuana; police say the sale was arranged by an acquaintance named Kevin Clay and involved two buyers identified as Willie Dunn and Melvin Houston. Jackson was found dead from gunshot wounds on his doorstep, and he left behind three children.

According to the investigation, Jackson’s brother and a friend were in a back room and heard an argument in the front room that escalated to gunfire. Jackson’s friend retrieved a rifle and fired as the suspects fled. Kevin Clay later contacted police and said the dispute began over the money for the drug transaction. Authorities identified Dunn and Houston as the primary suspects; Dunn at first denied firing but later admitted shooting three times. Houston said he was hired by Dunn for $1,500 and ran when the shooting started.

Willie Dunn and Melvin Houston were arrested in connection with the case. Two other men questioned — Kevin Clay and a man identified only as Robert who drove the suspects — were not charged in Jackson’s death. Did anyone in the Ensley community know Jackson or have information about the events that night?