FREDERICK MAN INDICTED FOR MURDER IN WATERSIDE SHOOTING
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 18, 2020
FREDERICK, MD – INDICTMENT
This morning, the Frederick County Grand Jury indicted Jordan Burris Hooks, age 27, of Frederick on charges of 1st Degree Murder, 1st Degree Assault, Use of a Firearm in a Felony, and handgun on-person. Hooks is held without bond at the Frederick County Adult Detention Center.
BACKGROUND
On the evening of Friday, September 11, 2020, Frederick County Sheriff’s Office detectives arrested Jordan Hooks, 27, of Frederick and charged him with 1st Degree Murder for the homicide of Mr. Jaemari Anderson that occurred on September 6, 2020. Through the process of the investigation, detectives were able to determine that Anderson and Hooks were described as close friends and were both at Hooks’ house throughout the day and evening of September 6th. During the execution of a search warrant served at Hooks’ residence on Waterview Court, detectives located Anderson’s cell phone and other personal property in Hooks’ basement that Mr. Anderson was known to always carry with him.
Additional evidence obtained included videos from Hooks’ cell phone, believed to have been recorded on September 5th, depicting Hooks and several others in his basement smoking and brandishing handguns. At one point, Hooks is seen holding and pointing a silver-colored handgun at the camera.
When interviewed, Hooks confirmed that he and Anderson had been together during the day of the homicide, but that he had not had contact with Anderson for a period of time prior to the shooting, claiming that Anderson had left his house to meet his girlfriend. Hooks had no explanation for why Anderson would leave his cell phone and other personal property items at his house when Anderson left.
During the course of the investigation, detectives learned that on September 6th there had been a confrontation involving Anderson in Hooks’ basement. This led to Hooks and Anderson agreeing to a physical fight outside. The investigation revealed that when Anderson left the room, Hooks pulled a handgun from the couch, similar to the one he had been waiving around in the video, and put it in his waistband. The group then left the basement and headed toward the walking path in Waterside. Witnesses and neighbors describe hearing a single gunshot and seeing people fleeing the area. Investigators located a single shell casing within a few feet of the victim.
Detectives are still considering this an ongoing homicide investigation. Anyone with information should report it to Det. Jason Brady of the Frederick County Sheriff’s Office.
An indictment is a charging document alleging criminal conduct. All Defendants are innocent until proven guilty.
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