Ex-Jackson MS Police Officer Accused of Killing Nurse Pleads Guilty

A former Jackson police officer accused of killing a 25-year-old registered nurse pleaded not guilty in October, court records show.

Court documents filed Aug. 19 show a Hinds County grand jury indicted Marcus Johnson, 33, on charges of first-degree murder and shooting into a dwelling in connection with the April incident. Johnson pleaded not guilty on Oct. 8.

Johnson’s charges are related to the fatal shooting 25-year-old Carlos Collins April 9 at the Tapestry Northridge Apartments off Parkway Drive near Old Canton Road. Jackson police officials said Collins was shot multiple times.

Collins was a a certified nurse from the city of Yazu.

After the shooting, Jackson Police Chief Joseph Wade said a a chase between law enforcement and Johnson started on Interstate 20 in Mississippi and ended in Louisiana.

According to Public Information Officer Tommy Brown, Johnson worked for JPD for eight months in 2013. He was separated from the JPD pending disciplinary action that resulted in his immediate termination. Johnson had resigned shortly before the firing, Brown said.

Johnson’s trial is scheduled for March 10, 2025.