Category: Crime of the Week

June 15, 2018

HOMICIDE

It was a year ago — Sunday, June 11, 2017 — when two-year-old Laylah Washington was shot near the intersection of Kirby Parkway and Winchester Road in southeast Memphis. Minutes before the shooting the victim’s mother had been involved in a verbal altercation with four males in a black four-door sedan that had been driving recklessly in the 6600 block of Winchester.

One of the male passengers fired shots out of the sedan’s window toward the victim’s vehicle, striking Laylah. Two days later, she died from her injuries. Memphis Police investigators are appealing to the public: anyone with information regarding Laylah Washington should please contact the Homicide squad at (901) 636-3300 or if preferred, CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH (2274).

CrimeStoppers has accumulated a $20,000.00 special reward for a tip or tips leading to the identification and arrest of those responsible.

June 1, 2018

HOMICIDE

Memphis Police responds to a shooting call at 2734 Fizer Road, near Pendleton Street, on Tuesday, May 22, 2018. Officers arrived and found Vallen Conner sitting in her 2004 Dodge Stratus and suffering from a gunshot wound. She was pronounced dead on the scene by responding paramedics.

A second victim found in the car was transported to Regional One in critical condition. Suspects in a tan Chevy Trailblazer were described as several male blacks who fired multiple rounds. This investigation needs the public’s assistance. Call CrimeStoppers at 528-CASH (2274).

May 18, 2018

HOMICIDE

Reports of a shooting and a “man down” in a field in the vicinity of Wilson and Tulane Roads in Whitehaven brought Memphis Police to the scene at 8:50 a.m. Sunday, May 13, 2018. On arrival officers found Cornelius Swopshire, 65, lying on the ground, unresponsive and suffering from gunshot wounds. Swopshire was pronounced dead at the scene.

A witness told police that a male dressed in black ran and jumped into a black Jeep or SUV parked nearby and drove away. Anyone with information on this homicide is asked to contact CrimeStoppers, 528-CASH (2274).

May 11, 2018

HOMICIDE

Memphis Police Department received a call about shots fired at 495 N. Watkins Street, off Cleveland Street and near the new Crosstown Concourse. It was 9:17 p.m., Sunday, May 6, 2018. Officers responded and found six male gunshot victims inside a gray Chevy Impala.

Dejuan Hill, 18 was pronounced dead at the scene by responding paramedics. DeAndre Rogers, also 18, was taken to Regional One Hospital where he was pronounced dead on arrival. The other four victims, all teenagers, survived their injuries. Suspects are believed to have fired multiple shots from a gold-colored and box-styled vehicle, which fled the scene.

Investigators need help solving this double-homicide crime. Contact CrimeStoppers with information at 528-CASH (2274), or by phone app or secure webmail.

May 4, 2018

HOMICIDE

A report of a shooting at 2:54 a.m. on Tuesday, April 24, 2018 brought Memphis Police officers to 3729 Hermitage Drive, just east of Graceland in Old Hickory Hills. Officers found Watario Franklin, 19, inside a bedroom, unresponsive and suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Franklin was pronounced dead at the scene by Memphis Fire Department personnel.

Five other people were inside the home at the time of the shooting but weren’t injured. Officers learned that an unknown male suspect fired multiple rounds through the bedroom window at the victim, who was lying in bed. Anyone with information that could help solve this murder should call CrimeStoppers, 528-CASH (2274).

April 27, 2018

HOMICIDE

Memphis Police officers responded to a report of shots fired at the Infinity Night Club, 2536 N. Watkins Street, near Overton Crossing, at 1 a.m, Sunday, April 15, 2018. When they arrived the officers learned from witnesses that a 16-year-old male gunshot victim, Roger Young, was taken by personal vehicle to the nearby fire station to seek medical treatment. Young was transported from the fire station to Regional One hospital where he later died from his injuries.

Several vehicles were struck by gunfire during the incident. Witnesses stated that multiple shots were fired outside the club, but no suspect description could be provided. Investigators need help determining who shot and killed the teenager. Anyone with information is asked to contact CrimeStoppers, 528-CASH (2274).

April 20, 2018

HOMICIDE

Memphis Police received a report of a shooting in the New Horizon Apartments at 1820 Baroness Drive near I-55 and Winchester Road at 3:56 p.m. Sunday, April 15, 2018. Officers arrived to find a male gunshot victim. Alvin Powell, 41, was seated inside a vehicle in the parking lot of the apartment complex.

Powell was pronounced dead at the scene. Witnesses described a suspect as a male in a black hoodie who fled the scene on foot. Police need the public’s help in identifying the perpetrator of this murder. Anyone with information is asked to call 528-CASH (2274).

April 6, 2018

HOMICIDE

Memphis Police dispatched officers to 784 Lane Avenue in the Uptown neighborhood of downtown after receiving a call at 7:40 p.m. on Monday, March 26 about a shooting. Officers arrived at Lane Grocery to find a female victim suffering from gunshot wounds.

Kirara Holmes was transported to Regional One where she died. This is an ongoing investigation and police could use help identifying and arresting the shooter or shooters. Information can be given to CrimeStoppers at 528-CASH (2274).