The two men accused of fatally shooting 26-year-old Courtney Jackson at Dudley Station last February are due in court March 20.
MBTA surveillance cameras captured the images of Jamel Bannister, 23, and Brian Cooper, 25, interacting with Jackson, according to the Suffolk County district attorney’s office. The Boston Globe reports Cooper can be seen on the tape pulling out a firearm and shooting Jackson. Bannister can be seen keeping watch armed with his own handgun.
Officers who were working nearby quickly apprehended the two fleeing the scene, according to the Boston Police Department site. Jackson was taken to Boston Medical Center where he was pronounced dead.
“This was a brazen attack at a busy transportation hub,” Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said in a press release. “Motive remains under investigation, but we struggle to comprehend what could inspire an incident like this, which killed one man and put so many others at risk.”
Cooper and Bannister both face murder and firearms charges. Police are also charging both as armed career criminals due to their history of convictions, according to the Suffolk County district attorney’s office. If both are convicted as armed career criminals, they would be sentenced to prison for a longer time.
Court documents allege that Bannister was dealing cocaine that day.
Released by the Suffolk County district attorney’s office on March 1, 2013:
Two Held in “Brazen” Fatal Shooting
BOSTON, March 1, 2013—Two men were ordered held without bail today following their arraignments for the shooting death of 26-year-old Courtney Jackson at the Dudley MBTA station last night, Suffolk County District Attorney Daniel F. Conley said.JAMEL BANNISTER (D.O.B. 10/7/90) of Dorchester and BRIAN COOPER (D.O.B. 1/19/88) of Mattapan are both charged with murder and unlawful possession of a firearm in connection with the incident at about 9:50 last night.
Both men are additionally charged as armed career criminals in light of prior convictions, Bannister for drug and assault charges in 2009 and 2011 and Cooper for armed assault with intent to murder in 2007. Bannister is further charged with possession of a Class B substance.
In addition to withholding bail, Roxbury District Court Judge David Poole ordered both defendants to return to court on April 1.
“This was a brazen attack at a busy transportation hub,” Conley said. “Motive remains under investigation, but we struggle to comprehend what could inspire an incident like this, which killed one man put so many others at risk.”
Conley commended the rapid action of two Boston Police officers who were working a detail near the scene and apprehended the defendants moments after the shooting. He thanked MBTA Transit Police for their assistance as well, both at the scene and in developing “significant” video evidence from surveillance cameras at the station.
Bannister is represented by attorney James Greenberg and Cooper is represented by attorney John Tardiff.
Released by the Boston Police Department on March 1, 2013:
About 9:50 pm on Thursday, February 28th, 2013, officers from District B-2 (Roxbury) responded to a call for a person shot in the area 14 Zeigler Street (Dudley Square).
On arrival, officers observed an unidentified black male victim suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was transported to the Boston Medical Center and was later pronounced deceased.
Minutes after the shooting, Officers Wilfredo Coriano and Domenic Columbo, while performing a privately paid detail in the area, observed two suspects running from the scene. Officers gave chase and with the assistance of Officers Brian Holmes and Kevin Plunkett and the Transit Police, the suspects were apprehended.
Officers also recovered two firearms. Cooper and Bannister have been arraigned in Roxbury District Court.
The department would like to recognize Officers Wilfredo Coriano, Domenic Columbo, Brian Holmes and Kevin Plunkett for their outstanding work regarding this incident.Jamel Bannister, 22, of Dorchester is charged with Murder and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm, Armed Career Criminal and Possession (Class B)
Brian Cooper, 25, of Mattapan, is charged with Murder and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and Armed Career Criminal.
Homicide detectives are actively investigating the facts and circumstances surrounding this incident. Anyone with information is encouraged to call detectives at (617) 343-4470.
Community members wishing to assist this investigation anonymously can do so by calling the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1(800) 494-TIPS or by texting the word ‘TIP’ to CRIME (27463). The Boston Police Department will stringently guard and protect the identities of those who wish to help this investigation anonymously.
Copies of the indictments have been added below.
