Jury Convicts Man of Second-Degree Murder in 2023 Shooting

SHELBY COUNTY, Tenn. — A Shelby County jury found Jimmari Sykes guilty as charged of Second-Degree Murder Saturday in the 2023 shooting death of Jonathan Farris.

Associate Deputy District Attorney Monica Timmerman and Assistant District Attorney Shaun Schielke prosecuted the case on behalf of the State of Tennessee. The jury returned the guilty verdict following a weeklong trial.

The case stems from an October 8, 2023, shooting in the parking lot in front of 1740 Germantown Parkway. Memphis Police officers responded to the scene at approximately 1:50 a.m. and found Farris suffering from a gunshot wound. He was transported to Regional One Hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Sykes PC

According to the investigation, witnesses told police that the parking lot was crowded after a nearby club had let out. Investigators later developed Sykes as a suspect, and multiple witnesses identified him in photographic lineups during the investigation. Sykes PC

Sykes was subsequently charged with Second-Degree Murder.

A sentencing date is forthcoming.