TWO FORMER HENRY HIGH SCHOOL BASKETBALL PLAYERS HAVE DIED DUE TO GUN SHOT WOUNDS

Mandela Jackson and Jordan Hughes were both pronounced dead on Wednesday apparently of gun shot wounds. Jackson and Hughes were teammates in high school. They both attended Patrick Henry High School in north Minneapolis.

According to the Star Tribune, “The two men shot to death in St. Paul were good friends who went to high school together, and a family member of the second man who died identified him as a star Minneapolis high school basketball player.

The two were shot about a mile apart, and police Sgt. Paul Paulos said Wednesday afternoon that "neither of the deaths appear to be random and no suspects are being sought at this time" and no one is under arrest.

One man was found shot about 11:30 p.m. Tuesday outside in the 800 block of Fuller Avenue, Paulos said. 

The man died at Regions Hospital.

Shortly after 8 a.m. Wednesday, another man was found shot in the 400 block of Charles Avenue, Paulos said. That man was dead at the scene and also found outside.

"We are following up on strong leads" about what led to the shootings, he said.

Police say they have preliminary information about the men's identities but were still working to confirm that information.

The man shot Wednesday morning was identified by his brother as Mandela Jackson, 22, who lived with his parents in South St. Paul and was a basketball standout at Patrick Henry High School in north Minneapolis.

In 2007-08, Jackson averaged about 21 points per game as a senior and led his team to the Class 3A State Tournament.

Jibreel Jackson said that his brother and the other man, in his early 20s, both graduated from Henry.

The brother said that he and other family members were at his parents' home Tuesday night when South St. Paul police officers knocked on the door, were let in and ordered all of the occupants out.

The officers asked where Mandela Jackson was and only said that "something had happened," Jibreel Jackson said. He did not say what time that occurred.

Jibreel Jackson said he and another brother were at his sister's house Wednesday morning in the 400 block of Charles Avenue and found Mandela Jackson's body a few doors down, with a gun nearby.

Family members have no clue about what led to the shootings, Jibreel Jackson said.”