The suspect in last week’s fatal shooting in Walthourville was denied bond during his first court appearance Tuesday before Magistrate Judge Angela Rogers.

Detective James Snider said Thomas Edward Jordan turned himself in to the Sheriff’s Office shortly after 1 p.m. Monday.

Jordan arrived at the Liberty County Jail with his attorney, A.J. Balbo, and is being held in the fatal shooting of Kenneth Lee Jackson on Jan. 25 in front of Jackson’s home at Cedar Hill Mobile Home Park, Snider said.

After Jordan’s first appearance Tuesday afternoon, Liberty County Sheriff Steve Sikes said the suspect is charged with malice murder, felony murder, possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and two counts each of aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.

Sikes said Balbo, whose website says he has offices in Hinesville and Richmond Hill, called Snider on Friday to discuss the case.

Jordan was seen leaving the scene in a gray vehicle immediately after the shooting, and was later seen in a burgundy Toyota Tundra, police said last week.

The Sheriff’s Office quickly issued an arrest warrant charging Jordan with murder.

Walthourville police Chief Bernie Quarterman said last week that Jordan and Jackson engaged in “what appeared to be a short, heated verbal altercation seconds prior to the shooting.”

Officers responded to Jackson’s home at 10:16 a.m. Jan. 25 and found Jackson lying on the ground next to the steps leading to the mobile home. Jackson died at the scene despite his brother’s and first responders’ efforts to resuscitate him, police said.

On Tuesday, Sikes was asked if more details on the crime are available.

“Nothing that I can reveal at this point, too early in the investigation, but we are looking into some motives,” he said.

When asked if others were involved, the sheriff said, “I’d rather not say at this point, but just him — he’s the only one that’s been charged thus far.”

When asked if anyone at the home helped identified Jordan as the suspect, Sikes said, “There were people that identified him and led us in the right direction. It came from a tip, let’s put it that way.”

The sheriff expressed frustration that the incident happened.

“It’s just so senseless to see this type of killing occur,” he said. “Life’s too precious for this. You’ve got two families now that are going to be torn up forever as a result of a quick decision made that’s going to last for eternity.”

Vigil set, donations needed

A candlelight vigil for Jackson will be held from 6-8 p.m. Wednesday at Johnnie Frasier Park in Walthourville. The family will accept donations for funeral and burial expenses during the vigil.

Adams Funeral Services Inc. of Savannah is handling Jackson’s arrangements. The family asks that donations not made during the vigil be mailed or taken directly to the funeral home at 510 Stephenson Ave., Savannah, GA 31405.

For more information, call the funeral home at 912-354-6260.