According to Harry Singleton, the man accused of murdering Jack
McCormick, race relations were the beginning cause for the whole incident.

Ella Felters and McCormick had difficulties previous to the recent event
that took place in the scrub.  Apparently Felter and Williams were in a
disagreement and McCormick was called to settle the dispute.  McCormick had to arrest Felter and this made relations between the two harsh.

Obviously Singleton had feelings for Felter and wanted to keep her out of
trouble with the law.  He would do anything to keep her out of jail.  Race
had a lot to do with the whole problem.  Felter, Williams, and Singleton
were all black and McCormick was white.  This made everything even more complicated.  As McCormick arrested Felter, Singleton ran across the street and shot McCormick in the abdomen.  He died instantly. Singleton was later found hiding out in the scrub and was arrested.