Background: The Dayton neighborhood in Ohio where Matyka Brown lived before her death (Google Maps). Inset (left): Matyka Brown (H.H. Roberts Mortuary). Inset (right): Tony Eugene Jackson Jr. (Miami Valley Jail).
An Ohio man who barged into the home of his ex-girlfriend and shot her in front of her children pleaded guilty to her murder.
Tony Jackson, 32, was initially charged with 11 felonies related to the shooting death of 34-year-old Matyka Brown in February at her residence in Dayton, Ohio. Prosecutor Mat Heck of Montgomery County explains that Jackson arrived at Brown’s home on February 10, where she and her new boyfriend were present. After leaving, Jackson returned to the property, forcibly entered, and menaced Brown and her daughters, aged 9 and 14, with a firearm.
Jackson shot Brown once as her daughters fled, then fired the fatal shot as they sought help from neighbors.
The Dayton Daily News reports that Brown’s neighbors called 911 upon the daughters’ arrival at their house. Responding to the call, Dayton police found Brown in her bedroom, deceased from gunshot wounds.
Heck, during the announcement of Jackson’s indictment later that month, noted the documented history of domestic violence between Jackson and Brown, including an arrest in October 2024. Before the October event, Jackson had only been out of prison for four months after serving time for aggravated robbery. He was reincarcerated that October after a strangulation conviction involving Brown.
Jackson had been set free on Jan. 26, about two weeks before he killed Brown.
Prior to finalizing a plea deal, Jackson faced charges including aggravated murder, murder, aggravated burglary, felonious assault, tampering with evidence, and possession of a weapon following a prior violent offense. On Tuesday, Jackson admitted guilt to one count of aggravated murder, leading to the dismissal of other charges.
Jackson is scheduled to be sentenced on Sept. 16.
