Episode 2: Almost Independence Day in Jackson, MS

It was July 3. Photographer Eric Shelton was working on a story about the historic Farish Street District in Jackson, Miss. Today, the neighborhood is blighted and forgotten, with no vestiges of the thriving black-owned businesses from nearly a century ago. Eric shares the story of his encounter with Lee Eric Evans and his aunt, who were making preparations on their front stoop for Independence Day. Evans had escaped violence in California, and had scars across his ribs to remind him. Within days, Eric Shelton discovered that the photos he’d take of Lee Eric, were the last ones taken before he was killed. Read the full dispatch here.

A Farish Street Historic District sign is seen on North Mill Street in Jackson Friday, June 29, 2018. (Photo by Eric J. Shelton/GroundTruth)
Marilyn Martin, left, assists her nephew, Lee Eric Evans, as he hangs a U.S. flag outside of Martin’s home on Davis Street in Jackson, Miss. Tuesday, July 3, 2018. (Photo by Eric J. Shelton/GroundTruth)
Evans sits on his stoop, July 3, 2018. (Photo by Eric J. Shelton/GroundTruth)
Graffiti is seen in the 300 block of Farish Street in Jackson Wednesday, June 27, 2018. (Photo by Eric J. Shelton/GroundTruth)
Lee Eric Evans shows his gunshot wounds after explaining the several occurrences of gun battles that he was involved in while living in Jackson, Miss. July 3, 2018. (Photo by Eric J. Shelton/GroundTruth)
Lee Eric Evans shows his entry and exit gunshot wounds while at his aunt’s home on Davis Street in Jackson, Miss. Tuesday, July 3, 2018. (Photo by Eric J. Shelton/GroundTruth)
The intersection of Central Street and Buena Vista Avenue is seen in Jackson, Miss. Thursday, September 19, 2018. Lee Eric Evans’ body was found at the intersection, where he was shot multiple times. (Photo by Eric J. Shelton/GroundTruth)
A memorial for Lee Eric Evans sits near the intersection of Central Street and Buena Vista Avenue in Jackson, Miss. Thursday, September 19, 2018. Evans’ body was found at the intersection Saturday, July 7, 2018. (Photo by Eric J. Shelton/GroundTruth)