A 25-year-old mother of two was shot and killed inside a McDonald’s restaurant in Brandon, Mississippi, on Monday, June 16, in what police are calling a domestic violence incident that ended in murder-suicide.
Kianna Jackson of Pearl, Mississippi, was fatally shot just before 7 p.m. at the McDonald’s location on Stribling Lane in Brandon, approximately 10 miles outside Jackson. The alleged shooter, 27-year-old Jhonterryes Dampier of Mendenhall, Mississippi, reportedly turned the gun on himself after killing Jackson.
Brandon Police Chief Joseph French told local media that officers arrived at the scene to find Jackson had died from an apparent gunshot wound, while Dampier had sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Dampier was immediately transported to a local hospital in critical condition but died from his injuries on Wednesday, June 18.
The shooting occurred in the restaurant’s drive-through area, according to police reports. Jackson and Dampier are believed to have shared two children together – a five-year-old daughter and a three-year-old son.
Brandon Mayor Butch Lee addressed the incident, stating that the situation was particularly devastating because it occurred in front of children. Lee indicated that his prayers go out to everyone connected to those involved in the incident.
The shooting deeply affected community members who had recent contact with Jackson. Justin Taylor, who owns a local television mounting business, revealed he had been at the couple’s home just two weeks before the shooting to install a television. Taylor reported sensing tension between Jackson and Dampier during his visit but chose not to intervene, later expressing regret about the dynamic he observed.
Another mother, Billie Shantay McCune-Kidd, described a heartbreaking encounter with Jackson just minutes before the fatal shooting. McCune-Kidd reported that their children had been playing together at a nearby park earlier that evening, where Jackson introduced herself and suggested exchanging contact information for future playdates. Jackson had mentioned plans to return to school for nursing and was heading to get food with her children when they parted ways.
McCune-Kidd indicated she was delayed by a car issue and arrived near the restaurant area to find police and fire trucks, not initially realizing the woman she had just met had been killed. She described Jackson as sweet with two precious children.
Jackson’s family established a GoFundMe campaign to raise money for funeral expenses and to support her surviving children. The fundraising page described Jackson as “a cherished mother that’s leaving behind two beautiful children” and noted she was also a beloved daughter, sister, and friend. The campaign has raised over $15,000 toward a $22,000 goal.
The Brandon Police Department continues to investigate the incident, with Chief French stating the investigation remains active. Authorities have asked anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 601-355-TIPS.
Local residents expressed shock at the violence occurring in their community. Longtime Brandon resident Tricia Hayes, who has lived in the area for 16 years, told media outlets she had never heard of anything to this extent in the normally quiet and safe area.
O’Ferrall Management Group, the owner and operator of the McDonald’s location where the shooting occurred, released a statement expressing deep sadness over the incident. The company indicated they are providing support to restaurant employees and will continue assisting law enforcement with the ongoing investigation.
The incident highlights the ongoing issue of domestic violence in communities across the country. Jackson’s death leaves behind two young children who will now face life without their mother, while the community grapples with the shock of such violence occurring in a typically peaceful area.
Police have not released additional details about the motive for the shooting, but the investigation continues as the community mourns the loss of a young mother described by those who knew her as kind and devoted to her children.
