KANSAS CITY, Mo. — A Leavenworth man facing a capital murder charge allegedly shot his two sons to death before fleeing across state lines with two of his younger daughters, according to new court records released Tuesday.
Much of the two-page affidavit for Donald Jackson Jr., who is accused of killing 12-year-old Austin Jackson and 14-year-old Logan Jackson, was redacted, but the document does confirm the two boys were fatally shot. Until Tuesday, authorities had not said how the boys died, citing the ongoing investigation.
According to the affidavit, Jackson failed to show up to a soccer game with his children on Oct. 24. His absence prompted two family members to visit his home, where they found one of the boys dead inside.
When Leavenworth County deputies responded to the home, they found both boys had been shot to death. According to the affidavit, multiple shell casings were found in the home.
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An Amber Alert was issued shortly after authorities discovered two of Jackson’s daughters, both under the age of 7, were not at the home.
Jackson and the girls were found several hours later in Oklahoma. The girls were unharmed.
Authorities found a .40-caliber handgun in the driver’s side door pocket of Jackson’s vehicle, according to the affidavit.
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Jackson was extradited from Oklahoma to Leavenworth County two weeks ago and has been denied bond. If convicted on the capital murder charge, he faces either the death penalty or a life sentence without parole.
Prosecutors have not said if they will pursue the death penalty against Jackson.
He has not been charged with any crime related to taking the girls and leaving the state.
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