Note: JPD contacted the family the day after this interview and provided an update on the case.
A Friday afternoon drive home to meet the wife turned into a lifetime of horror as Chuck Ponthieux was gunned down in cold blood on the streets of Jackson in February. No arrests have been made in the case. Ponthieux's family cried out in frustration last week on social media after it felt the case was ignored by JPD.
Ponthieux was the manager of Top Dollar Pawn at the corner of West and Donald streets. He left the store on February 22. The manager stopped at a red light and began moving when the light turned green. Ponthieux struck a 4-wheeler that flew out in front of him without warning. . He got out to check on the driver. The ATV was stuck to the bumper of his truck. Ponthieux said he was going to call JPD to report the accident. The other driver became very angry and said he didn’t want to call the police. A heated argument ensued. Ponthieux walked back to his truck. The driver shot Ponthieux in the back once, killing him. Several rounds hit the truck.
The 52 year-old Madison County resident left behind a wife, three children, and two grandchildren.
No arrests have been made for his murder. JPD Chief James Davis said detectives are working the case and trying to develop leads. He said “We take all murders very seriously.”
His daughter, Emilie McEachern said JPD will not return her phone calls nor keep her family updated on the case. She said “we called them weekly at first. I had to call JPD in April but it took me a month before I could get in touch with someone.” Mrs. Ponthieux said she called on July 2 but received no response. She said, “It’s a fine line, we don’t know what we can say and don’t want to piss off anyone. We’ve only spoken to them twice – the night of the murder and May 28 (after an appointment was made.).
The victim's daughter continued, “I’ve gone above heads and they seem to want to help. They haven’t given a reason why there are no suspected. I don’t understand how someone shoots someone. It’s frustrating. Why is my dad gunned down in the street and give months later, we don’t have anybody. I understand JPD is overloaded but I feel like in surrounding areas, we would already have these people in jail. Five months later we don’t’ know anything is very frustrating. It makes me feel my dad’s case isn’t getting the justice it deserves. Mrs. Ponthieux voice is strong but soaked with weary, a weariness no sleep can cure. She adds “You can’t tell me someone doesn’t know them. JPD hasn’t said anything about a four-wheeler being stolen.”
Crimestoppers didn’t escape her criticism. Mrs. Ponthieux said “we’ve offered to add money to the reward but the Crimestopper representative says she has to talk to her supervisor but no one ever calls back.
Meanwhile the family waits, hoping each phone call brings news of an arrest.
Kingfish note: Unfortunately, these cases are often solved but it takes awhile. The break usually comes when someone talks. A hood is busted on something else, runs his mouth off, and then boom, the big break comes. It took over a year to make arrests in the Lil Lonnie case but they were made. Here is the Facebook post as well as some pictures of Chuck Ponthieux and his family in happier times.
13 comments:
I hope the lady does not read this blog but the truth is, even if the thugs are caught, it does not matter. They do not care very much if they go to jail and there are so many others that will be doing crime that at the end of the day, dudes dead and will stay that way.
She may not read this comment, but one of her friends did. You obviously do not have a heart for anyone. Or you must be the one who shot him.
@7:18
I agree that @5:49 is an idiot for making those callous statements, but he's not the shooter. His grammar is too good, not perfect, but better than most that would commit such a heinous act. A real chicken s*%$t!
The FBI reported 150 million violent crimes in 2018.
We need to find an answer for THIS PLAGUE.
May the family find peace in the fact the perk may be in prison on another violent act.
I am not callous, I care more than most can imagine, unless you are around the absolute dog shit that these thugs are, you may think that they have remorse or other feeling but they don't. Hate and envy is what they posses. The dog shit that killed Chuck has already forgot about it. The world is not as good without him.
Murder investigations takes time if no one is talking. I hope the killer is brought to justice.
In Jacktown because of political pressure, the darker the skin, the more effort is put into the investigation. That's a fact, Jack!
Of course KF won't publish this!
Under the leadership of the current cheif and Lee Vance Jackson has become Murder Inc. We are steadily climbing the rankings to become the number one city in America for murders per 100,000 people. We have their leadership, or the lack there of, to thank for this. Unfortunately if the trend continues, there will be over 100 families that will endure this same frustration this year in Jackson alone. We must hold people accountable, especially leadership.
I was in front of a building in downtown Jackson on July 4th and a bullet hit the building about 3 yards from me. The police came and said it was random July 4th gunfire. A badge of honor to die on July 4th in Jackson if I had been hit. The police will never do anything about this case or mine. And if they do, the judges and DA will do nothing.
I suggest the family do as I have and schedule movers to Madison or Rankin county.
Back to packing boxes to move.
10:40 the article says he lived in Madison. He was just passing through because he worked there.
11:37. I Stand corrected.
Prayers for the family. They should get justice.
Prayers for this family. Keep up the pressure to get justice for your dad/husband!
Someone told me about this murder about 2 weeks ago, and I thought he must've been referring to some urban legend. I consider my self to keep pretty current on active crimes in Jackson, yet I had never heard of this one before two weeks ago. The circumstances are so horrific, I don't see how I missed it! Was this ever reported in the news at the time? I swear I don't remember a thing about it! This was a completely random act, and let's face it, the vast majority of murders in Jackson are between dudes who know each other.....
I don't know them personally, but my condolences to Chuck's family. Just an unbelievable act of senseless violence!
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