Appomattox man charged in fatal shooting

By Carrie J. Sidener

Published: December 1, 2008

An Appomattox man is in jail after deputies charged him with involuntary manslaughter in connection with the shooting death of his daughter’s friend on Thanksgiving Day.

Ardie Arnold Jackson, 46, was arrested and charged Friday in the shooting death of 19-year-old Michael Thomas King, of Pamplin, Appomattox County Sheriff Wilson Staples said Monday.

The shooting happened shortly before 8 p.m. on Thanksgiving at Jackson’s home at 2382 Rock Spring Road in the Evergreen area of Appomattox County, Staples said.

Jackson was checking his shotgun when it went off, fatally shooting King, Staples said.

“There was no conversation,” Staples said. “There was no animosity between the two.

“This case involves the reckless handling of a firearm.”

Staples described the relationship between King and Jackson as “almost family.”

Jackson is being held in the Appomattox County Jail on a $30,000 bond. His first court appearance is scheduled for Dec. 10.

King is survived by his parents, Loretta Tolbert Robertson and her husband, Ernest Edward Robertson, of Charlotte Courthouse, and Roy Lee King Jr., of Pamplin.

He has two brothers, Chris King, of Charlotte Courthouse, and Ryan King, of Pamplin.

According to obituary information, King loved to go fishing and drag racing.

His funeral is scheduled for 3:30 p.m. Thursday at the Pamplin Cemetery. A reception will be held from 7 to 8:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Robinson Funeral Home.