Old Fort -- September 20, 2026: An Old Fort woman faces a felony murder charge following a fatal domestic shooting that left Jerome Ward, 41, dead at a home on Lackey Town Road Friday afternoon. Jessica Martin Blackburn, 49, of Old Fort, was arrested in connection with the death.
Deputies from the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence on Lackey Town Road, near Old Fort, around 4 p.m. Friday after a relative called McDowell County Communications to report that someone had been shot. Upon arrival, deputies found Ward suffering from at least one gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene a short time later.
Blackburn, identified as Ward’s girlfriend, was subsequently arrested. She has been charged with felony murder in connection with the shooting. Blackburn is currently being held without bond at the McDowell County Detention Center.
The McDowell County Sheriff’s Office has characterized the incident as domestic violence-related.