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Event center murder suspect appears in court, pleads not guilty
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Event center murder suspect appears in court, pleads not guilty

JACKSON, Tenn. — A man allegedly responsible for shooting nine people and killing a woman at a north Jackson event center early Sunday morning was arraigned Friday.

Matthew Berry faces a charge of murder in addition to attempted second degree murder.

Berry virtually appeared in court. His lawyer, Michael Burton, spoke on his behalf.

Berry has pleaded not guilty to the charges. The state is asking that Berry be held without bail.

“Judge, due to the nature of the charges and the facts alleged in the warrant, the State specifically requests that he be held for one count of murder,” the prosecution said.

“He will be held without bond. No obligation, yes,” Judge Blake Anderson said.

According to a warrant, on Oct. 20 around 1:00 a.m., the Jackson Police Department responded to 23-10 North Highland Avenue for a shooting. When police arrived at the scene, they discovered nine gunshot victims.

Two victims were airlifted to a hospital in Memphis. Lar’Curia Roberson was shot in the abdomen and forearm, later dying of his injuries.

One of the victims was shot twice in the back and was later paralyzed from the shooting. Officers processed the crime scene and recovered eight spent 9 millimeter casings and one live .38 caliber cartridge.

Preliminary forensic findings are that all eight spent cartridge cases collected were fired from the same firearm. Berry was positively identified in a group of six as the person who opened fire into the crowd of people at the event center.

The shooting happened inside the venue during what JPD says was a large party.

For the latest West Tennessee crime coverage, click Here.