Teen Indicted in Firefighter’s Death

Oct. 19, 2020 – A 19-year-old man has been indicted in the August shooting death of an off-duty Memphis firefighter in the parking lot of a Whitehaven apartment complex, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A grand jury indicted Delvone Williams, aka Delvonte Williams, on charges of first-degree murder in the commission of a felony and attempted especially aggravated robbery.

On the afternoon of Aug. 16, 2020, police were called to the 4100 block of Eastwind Drive in the Hillcrest Apartments where they found Courtney Anderson in the parking lot with a fatal gunshot wound.

Williams was developed as a suspect and was arrested about a week later.

Anderson, 31, had been with the Memphis Fire Department since 2015.

The case is being handled by Chief Prosecutor Stephanie Johnson of the District Attorney’s Vertical Team 2 which handles cases in General Sessions Division 9 and in Criminal Court Division 2.    

Gunman Indicted in Death of Fellow Shooter

Oct. 14, 2020 – A South Memphis man was indicted Tuesday on second-degree murder and other felony charges related to the shooting death of a friend while they were firing guns into several apartment units near East Trigg and Mississippi Boulevard, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

Defendant Antonio T. Taylor, 23, also was indicted on attempted first-degree murder, two counts of reckless endangerment, employment of a firearm in the commission of a dangerous felony, and tampering with evidence.

The incident occurred around 10 p.m. on March 30, 2020, in the 700 block of Richmond where investigators said Taylor and 28-year-old Darian Carter shot multiple times into two apartments occupied by four adults and five juveniles. The gunfire also struck a woman’s vehicle as she was parking her vehicle nearby.

Investigators said one of the shots fired by Taylor struck Carter in the back, killing him.

The case is being handled by Chief Prosecutor David Zak and Felony Asst. Paige Munn of the District Attorney’s Vertical Team 6 which handles cases in General Sessions Division 15 and in Criminal Court Division 10.     

Man Indicted in Deaths of Girlfriend and Unborn Child

Oct. 14, 2020 – A 21-year-old man was indicted Tuesday in the South Memphis shooting deaths this summer of his girlfriend and her unborn child, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A grand jury indicted defendant Joshua Dotson on two counts of first-degree murder in the case.

The shooting occurred on June 12, 2020, at the victim’s residence in the 1200 block of Quinn Avenue near Bellevue Boulevard and South Parkway East. Investigators said Dotson became angry with his girlfriend, Jamesha Covson, 19, fired a gunshot through her closed door, and then forced his way in and continued the argument.

Dotson then left the scene, but police were called to the residence a few hours later. According to witnesses, Dotson had returned and shot Covson in the house; police found her with several gunshot wounds. She was taken to a hospital where she and her unborn child were pronounced dead.

Witnesses identified Dotson as the person responsible. He was arrested six days later.

The case is being handled by Asst. Dist. Atty. Marianne Bell of the District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Unit which handles cases of homicide and domestic assault committed by intimate partners. The DVU prosecutes cases in General Sessions Division 10 and in Criminal Court Division 5.     

Cousin Indicted in Teen’s Shooting Death

Oct. 9, 2020 – A 36-year-old man was indicted Thursday on first-degree murder charges for allegedly shooting his cousin who was riding by on a bicycle earlier this year, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A grand jury also indicted defendant Cecil Perry on charges of convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

The shooting occurred around 5:20 p.m. on April 5 this year in the 700 block of Leath St. near Saffarans Avenue in North Memphis when Perry called out to his cousin, Tydarious Cunningham, as he rode past on his bicycle.

An argument soon began, Perry pulled a handgun and then shot Cunningham multiple times. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

The case is being handled by Chief Prosecutor Carrie Shelton Bush and Senior Felony Asst. Sarah Poe of the District Attorney’s Vertical Team 4 which handles cases in General Sessions Division 12 and in Criminal Court Division 4.

Couple Indicted in Death Of Off-Duty Firefighter

Oct. 8, 2020 – A man and a woman were indicted on criminal charges Thursday for their roles in the July shooting death of an off-duty Memphis firefighter in Raleigh, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A grand jury indicted Carlton Wells, 23, on charges of second-degree murder and convicted felon in possession of a firearm. His companion, Danielle Mack, 38, was indicted on a felony charge of tampering with evidence.

The victim, Mack Bond Jr., 58, was found shot to death in the driver’s seat of his SUV which had crashed into a wooded area across from Kennedy Park in the 4500 block of Raleigh LaGrange Road.

Investigators said his SUV was seen moments earlier parked next to a Chevrolet rental car in the park in which Wells and Danielle Mack were seated. After an exchange of words, Wells fired multiple gunshots at Bond.

Danielle Mack, who had rented the Chevrolet in California days earlier, then went to a Memphis car rental agency and exchanged the Chevrolet for another rental. She did not report the shooting to police.

The defendants were arrested two days after the shooting, which occurred around 2 p.m. on July 15.

The case is being handled by Asst. Dist. Atty. Jeff Jones of the District Attorney’s Special Prosecution Unit in Criminal Court Division 7. The SVU seeks maximum sentencing for repeat felony offenders.

Grand Jury Indicts Man in Apartment Shooting

Oct. 7, 2020 – A 23-year-old man has been indicted on first-degree murder and other charges stemming from a shooting involving two victims this summer at a Fox Meadows apartment, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

Defendant Joshua Jones also was indicted on charges of attempted first-degree murder, employment of a firearm in the commission of a dangerous felony, and reckless endangerment.

The incident occurred around 11:30 p.m. on July 28 this year on Venetian Causeway in the Eden at Waters Edge apartments on South Mendenhall Road near Mt. Moriah Road.

Police found Martaveous Barnes, 22, dead inside an apartment with a gunshot wound to the head. A second victim, a 28-year-old woman, was shot in the shoulder and was found outside the apartment seeking help.

Jones was developed as a suspect and was recently indicted and arrested.

The case is being handled by Felony Asst. Stacy McEndree and Asst. Dist. Atty. Mark Williams of the District Attorney’s Vertical Team 6 which prosecutes cases in General Sessions Division 15 and in Criminal Court Division 10.

Woman Indicted in Domestic Homicide

Oct. 6, 2020 – A 23-year-old woman was indicted Tuesday in a domestic homicide this summer when she shot at her boyfriend, but struck and killed a woman nearby who was holding a baby, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A grand jury indicted Annesha Jackson on charges of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, employment of a firearm in the commission of a dangerous felony and reckless endangerment.

Police said Jackson was arguing with her baby’s father, pulled a pistol from her purse and began shooting. She missed him, but struck his girlfriend Tiffany Wilson, 24, in the head as she stood nearby holding a one-year-old baby.

She died later at a hospital.

The incident occurred on June 6 this year on Edmondshire Court in the Canterbury Woods Apartments in the Cordova area.

The case is being handled by Chief Prosecutor Greg Gilbert of the District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Unit which handles cases of domestic assault and homicide committed by intimate partners in General Sessions Division 10 and Criminal Court Division 5.

Millington Man Indicted in Murder Case

Oct. 1, 2020 – A Millington man was indicted Thursday in the shooting death of one man and the wounding of another during a dispute this summer, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A grand jury indicted Orlando Phillips, 40, on charges of second-degree murder, attempted second-degree murder, and convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

Shelby County Sheriff’s Office investigators said the shootings occurred around 5 p.m. on June 5 this year in a vehicle parked in the 6200 block of Martinwest Drive just south of Navy Road in Millington.

When officers arrived, they found 38-year-old Larry House in the street with multiple gunshot wounds. He was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

A second victim, a 27-year-old cousin of the suspect, was taken by private car to a fire station on Navy Road. The victim then was taken by ambulance to a hospital where he was treated for six gunshot wounds.

Investigators said the men were sitting in the parked vehicle when Phillips became angry, stepped out and began firing a handgun at the others. Phillips was arrested nearby a short time later.

The case is being handled by Asst. Dist. Atty. Leslie Fouche of the District Attorney’s Special Prosecution Unit 7 which prosecutes repeat felony offenders in Criminal Court Division 7. The SPU seeks maximum sentencing for those offenders.  

Alleged Gunman Indicted in Highland Murder

Sept. 30, 2020 – A 36-year-old man was indicted Tuesday on first-degree murder charges in the shooting death this summer of a man during an early-morning fight near Park Avenue and South Highland, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

Defendant Deleon Pierce also was indicted as a convicted felon in possession of a handgun.

The incident occurred around 3:30 a.m. on South Highland one block south of Park where several men were involved in a fight with Joshua Jenkins. Moments later, witnesses said, Pierce walked up, pulled a handgun and shot Jenkins two times.

Jenkins, 31, was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The case is being handled by Asst. Dist. Atty. Leslie Fouche of the District Attorney’s Special Prosecution Unit 7 which handles cases involving repeat felony offenders in Criminal Court Division 7.

Frayser Man Indicted on Murder Charges

Sept. 28, 2020 – A 21-year-old Frayser man has been indicted on first-degree murder and other charges in the shooting death in March outside a neighborhood store, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A grand jury also indicted defendant Anterious Miles on robbery and felony murder charges.

Investigators said that on March 5 this year Miles and Cartiere Johnson were standing outside the store in the 2800 block of St. Elmo when Miles grabbed a pistol from Johnson’s waistband and shot him several times.

Johnson, 24, was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Miles was developed as a suspect, was arrested on March 20 in Forrest City, Ark., and was extradited to Memphis.

The case is being handled by Chief Prosecutor Carrie Shelton Bush and Senior Felony Asst. Sarah Poe of the District Attorney’s Vertical Team 4 which handles cases in General Sessions Division 12 and in Criminal Court Division 4.

Woman Indicted in Death of Boyfriend

Sept. 24, 2020 – An Olive Branch woman has been indicted on first-degree murder charges in the shooting death of her boyfriend in June outside a Memphis motel, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

Defendant Patrice Austin, 40, is being held on $500,000 bond.

The incident occurred on June 29 this year at the Knights Inn in the 6000 block of Macon Road.

Austin told police she shot her boyfriend, Christopher Hinds, 41, when he tried to run over her with in the parking lot during an argument. Surveillance video, however, did not support her account of self-defense, investigators said.

The case is being handled by Asst. Dist. Atty. Justin Prescott of the District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Unit which handles cases of domestic assault and homicide committed by intimate partners. Cases are handled in General Sessions Court Division 10 and in Criminal Court Division 5.

Woman Indicted in Animal Cruelty Case

Sept. 24, 2020 – A Raleigh woman has been indicted on felony animal cruelty charges after an emaciated dog was found this summer on a two-foot leash attached to a post in her carport, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

Virnisha White, 27, of the 4200 block of Hobson Cove was indicted on aggravated cruelty to animals charges.

Neighbors told police on June 12 that the dog had been abandoned at the residence for at least two weeks. Investigating officers said the dog was unable to walk or lift its head, and that it had an untreated leg injury. There was food, but no water.

The dog had to be euthanized.

The case is being handled by Asst. Dist. Atty. Nathan Vrazel of the District Attorney’s Vertical Team 5 which handles cases in General Sessions Division 13 and in Criminal Court Division 9.

Man Indicted in Car-to-Car Shootings

Sept. 24, 2020 – A Bartlett man has been indicted in the killing of one man and the attempted killing of seven others in a pair of car-to-car shootings earlier this year in the Raleigh area of North Memphis, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A grand jury indicted Ira Crisp, 30, on charges of second-degree murder, seven counts of attempted second-degree murder, and one count of employment of a firearm in the commission of a dangerous felony.

The shootings occurred on April 13, 2020, in the area of New Raleigh Road and Chapel Road when Crisp began firing shots from a tan Nissan sedan at a Toyota Avalon in which six men were riding.

One of those men, Tyler Williams, 17, was struck and was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead a short time later. Two men in a third vehicle also were shot at by Crisp when they arrived in the area, investigators said.

Crisp was identified as the shooter and was arrested nine days later.

The case is being handled by Chief Prosecutor Theresa McCusker of the District Attorney’s Vertical Team 1 which handles cases in General Sessions Division 7 and in Criminal Court Division 1.

Man Indicted in Dice Game Murders

Sept. 23, 2020 – A 29-year-old man has been indicted in the shooting deaths of two men and the wounding of another following a dice game this summer in the Binghampton area, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

Defendant Terrell Jones was indicted on two counts of first-degree murder, one count of attempted first-degree murder, especially aggravated robbery, and employment of a firearm in the commission of a dangerous felony.

The shootings occurred in the early-morning hours of July 13 in the 2800 block of Nathan Avenue near Scott Street where a backyard dice game was breaking up.

A witness said that when most of the players had left, Jones pulled a gun on the several who remained. He shot two of them multiple times and wounded a third man who said he survived by playing dead. After the shootings, Jones went through the victims’ pockets and took cash.

The victims who were killed were identified as James Brown, 36, and James Smith, 25. The third victim, who was 38, was shot in the wrist.

Jones was developed as a suspect and was arrested without incident July 29 in the 2700 block of North Watkins by the U.S. Marshals Service Gulf Coast Regional Fugitive Task Force.

The case is being handled by Senior Felony Asst. Neil Umsted and Asst. Dist. Atty. Forrest Edwards of the District Attorney’s Vertical Team 3 which handles cases in General Sessions Division 11 and in Criminal Court Division 3.

Man Indicted in Murder of Car Seller

Sept. 23, 2020 – An Arkansas man accused of killing a Berclair-area man earlier this year and stealing the car he was selling has been indicted on first-degree murder charges, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A grand jury also indicted defendant Edmond Knowles, 21, of Blytheville on charges of especially aggravated robbery especially aggravated kidnapping and employment of a firearm in the commission of a dangerous felony.

Investigators said that around 7 p.m. on Feb. 11, 2020, victim Arnold Javier Reyes, 20, was approached at an auto parts store on Summer by Knowles who inquired about the red Mustang Reyes was selling.

Reyes agreed to let Knowles take the car for a test drive, and accompanied him in the passenger seat. A short time later residents in the nearby area of Novarese Avenue and Berclair Road reported a shooting.

Police found Reyes on the ground with tape around his ankles and a gunshot wound to the head. He was pronounced dead at a hospital. Witnesses said they heard gunfire and saw the suspect drive away in the Mustang.

Knowles was charged and arrested about a week later.

The case is being handled by Chief Prosecutor Carrie Bush and Senior Felony Asst. Sarah Poe of the District Attorney’s Vertical Team 4 which handles cases in General Sessions Division 12 and in Criminal Court Division 4.     

Woman Indicted in Boyfriend’s Death

Sept. 22, 2020 – A 46-year-old woman has been indicted in the death last year of her boyfriend who was taken to a hospital with injuries consistent with being run over by a vehicle, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A grand jury indicted defendant Deshunta Sudduth on charges of first-degree murder.

Police detectives were called to Methodist North Hospital early on Dec. 8, 2019, where victim Tabius Pride, 37, was brought by a friend who said he had been run over by a car. Pride died a short time later from his injuries which included chest trauma, broken ribs, and road rash to his face, arms, legs and back.

Witnesses said Sudduth and Pride had been drinking and arguing earlier that evening and that at around 1 a.m. the defendant ran over the victim at Washington and Orleans.

The case is being handled by Chief Prosecutor Greg Gilbert and Asst. Dist. Atty. Shelby Patrick of the District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Unit which handles case of domestic assault and homicide committed by intimate partners.

Those cases are assigned to General Sessions Division 10 and to Criminal Court Division 5.

Teen Indicted in Double Homicide

Sept. 22, 2020 – A Memphis teen has been indicted in the shooting deaths of two Mississippi men at a South Memphis gas station last year, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A grand jury indicted Desean McKinnie, 17, on two counts of first-degree murder and one count of reckless endangerment.

The shootings occurred Sept. 1, 2019, at the Fast Fuel gas station in the 1300 block of Elvis Presley at South Parkway where police found a vehicle with two unresponsive victims in the front seat.

The victims, Xabian Myers, 21, and Terrell Henry, 19, both of Horn Lake, sustained multiple gunshot wounds and were pronounced dead at a hospital a short time later.

Investigators said McKinnie and a young woman were identified by witnesses and by security video as the two suspects who climbed over the victims and exited the vehicle by the driver’s side door.

The case is being handled by Chief Prosecutor David Zak and Asst. Dist. Atty. Katie Farley of the District Attorney’s Vertical Team 6 which handles cases in General Sessions Division 15 and in Criminal Court Division 10.

Man Indicted in Woman’s Shotgun Slaying

Sept. 18, 2020 – A southeast Memphis man has been indicted on first-degree murder charges in the shooting death of a 66-year-old woman this summer following an argument, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

Defendant James Turner, 59, is being held without bond.

He is under indictment for shooting acquaintance Patricia Cole in the head with a shotgun during an argument the afternoon of June 20, 2020, in the bedroom of a home in the 1600 block of Ellsworth St. near South Highland and Sharpe Avenue.

The case is being handled by Chief Prosecutor Greg Gilbert and Asst. Dist. Atty. Venecia Patterson of the District Attorney’s Domestic Violence Unit which handles cases of domestic assault and homicide committed by intimate partners.

Man Indicted in Motel Shootings

Sept. 18, 2020 – A 49-year-old man has been indicted in the shooting death of a woman last year and the wounding of a man he was arguing with last year outside of a Whitehaven motel, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A grand jury indicted Angelos Washington on charges of first-degree murder; two counts of attempted first-degree murder, employment of a firearm in the commission of a dangerous felony, and convicted felon in possession of a handgun.

The shootings occurred Sept. 4, 2019, outside of the motel at 2745 Airways near Democrat Road as Washington argued with a 28-year-old man.

Washington pulled a gun from his wheelchair and began shooting, striking the man in the neck and chest, and also hitting Paula Foster, 59, in the stomach and the chest. She was pronounced dead at a hospital.

Another bystander also was in the line of fire, but she was not hit. Washington was arrested a short time later nearby on Democrat, still in possession of the handgun.

The case is being handled by Senior Felony Asst. Danielle McCollum and Asst. Dist. Atty. Eric Walton of the District Attorney’s Vertical Team 1 which handles cases in General Sessions Division 7 and in Criminal Court Division 1.

Man Pleads Guilty to Three Murders As Victims Families Watch by Video

Sept. 10, 2020 – A 38-year-old man pled guilty Thursday to killing three people in two separate incidents as 18 family members of the victims watched Criminal Court proceedings by way of Zoom teleconference, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

Defendant Rickey Hull Jr. was sentenced to three terms of life in prison for the unprovoked and unrelated killings in 2018.

Three family members of the victims testified by video about the impact the loss of their loved ones has had on them, their children and their grandchildren.

The first incident occurred shortly before 2 p.m. on Nov. 11, 2018, when Milton Edmonson, 49, was shot in the back of the head as he walked along Pendleton Street near Burns Avenue. The suspect, now identified as Hull, fled in a black Buick Park Avenue.

Several weeks later, at around 1 p.m. on Dec. 6, 2018, Kamel Al Abes, 52, and Marcus Anderson, 44, sustained multiple gunshots inside the Third Tire Shop in the 3000 block of South Third Street.

Anderson, an employee, was pronounced dead at the scene. Abes, the store owner, died later at a hospital.

Witnesses and store video helped identify Hull as the person responsible. He was arrested about two hours later at a relative’s apartment on Ketchum Road.

Hull then was linked to the Pendleton Street killing by his description, weapon and vehicle. The same .22-cal. rifle with a pistol grip was used in all three slayings.

The case was handled by Senior Felony Asst. Sarah Poe of the District Attorney’s Vertical Team 4 which handles cases in General Sessions Division 12 and in Criminal Court Division 4.