Crime
2 dead, 3 injured after shooting near LeMoyne-Owen College in Memphis
MEMPHIS, TN – A mass shooting in South Memphis on Wednesday afternoon left two people dead and three others critically injured following a violent exchange of gunfire inside a residence near LeMoyne-Owen College.
The shooting occurred at a home on College Park Drive, just yards away from the LeMoyne-Owen College campus and in close proximity to a daycare and tutoring facility.
Emergency responders arrived to find five victims suffering from gunshot wounds. One individual was pronounced dead at the scene, while another succumbed to their injuries at Regional One Health.
One victim has been identified as Leon Parker.
The three remaining victims were transported to local hospitals in critical condition.
The Memphis Police Department (MPD) responded swiftly, with multiple squad cars, ambulances, fire trucks, and crime scene vans lining the street for hours. MPD Chief C.J. Davis and other top officials were present as the investigation unfolded.
Authorities believe the shooting stemmed from an altercation inside the home that escalated into gunfire.
“There was some type of disturbance inside the residence that led to an exchange of gunfire,” said Lt. Louis Brownlee, an MPD spokesperson.
Police have confirmed that all individuals involved in the shooting have been identified, and the violence appears to have been contained within the residence. However, the motive for the shooting remains unclear, and it has not been determined who fired the first shots or whether any of the survivors will face charges.
Shortly after the shooting, LeMoyne-Owen College issued a statement clarifying that the incident did not involve any students, faculty, or staff and occurred off-campus.
“LeMoyne-Owen College remains fully operational following reports of an off-campus incident near 948 College Park Drive. The incident did not involve or impact LeMoyne-Owen College students, faculty, or staff, and there are no lockdowns or alerts in place at this time,” the college’s statement read.
Dr. Dunn-Ross, Chief Operating Officer of LeMoyne-Owen College, emphasized the college’s commitment to safety:
“The safety and well-being of our campus community is always our top priority. We are aware of the situation and in communication with local authorities. At this time, there is no threat to our campus, and operations will continue as normal.”
As of now, MPD has not provided further details on the cause of the altercation or whether any arrests have been made. The investigation remains active, and authorities urge anyone with information to contact law enforcement.
Crime
Walls Police Officer Da’Quarius Burton Injured in Deadly Mississippi Crash, Mother Confirms He Is Alive and Safe
DESOTO COUNTY, Mississippi — Walls Police Officer Da’Quarius Burton was injured in a deadly two-vehicle collision on U.S. Highway 61 in DeSoto County, Mississippi, but his mother has confirmed that he is alive, safe and recovering following the crash.
Burton, 27, of Memphis, Tennessee, was driving a Dodge Durango involved in the collision shortly after 8 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of U.S. Highway 61 and Church Road in Walls.
The crash claimed the lives of three people traveling in a Honda Accord. The incident also left another passenger injured and involved employees of the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office Juvenile Detention Center.
Following the crash, misinformation circulated online suggesting that Burton had died and that he was a juvenile detention officer.
His mother, Tee Burton, publicly addressed the reports, firmly correcting the information and asking people to stop sharing unverified claims.
She confirmed that her son is alive, safe and okay. She also emphasized that he is not a juvenile detention officer.
In her statement, she expressed disappointment over reports falsely identifying her son as one of the people who died in the collision.
She also acknowledged the families who lost loved ones and urged the public to show compassion toward everyone affected by the tragedy.
Her statement included the following message:
“My son is alive!!! He is safe, and he is okay!!!”
She further asked people to verify information before publishing or reposting details that could cause unnecessary emotional distress to families.
According to the Mississippi Highway Patrol, a northbound Dodge Durango traveling on U.S. Highway 61 collided with a westbound Honda Accord traveling on Church Road.
Three occupants of the Honda were pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the victims as:
- Latasha N. Dodson, 37, of Horn Lake, Mississippi, the Honda driver.
- Eddie L. Dodson Jr., 41, of Byhalia, Mississippi.
- Tamenshia R. Ford, 32, of Horn Lake, Mississippi.
Burton and another passenger in the Honda survived the collision but sustained injuries and were transported to a local hospital. Their specific medical conditions have not been publicly detailed in the information provided.
The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that two people involved in the crash were employees of its Juvenile Detention Center.
One of those employees was Tamenshia R. Ford, who died in the collision. The second employee was seriously injured.
Sheriff Thomas E. Tuggle II expressed condolences following the death of the employee, describing the person as a respected and beloved member of the department.
“Our fallen officer was a respected and beloved member of our team,” Tuggle said.
The sheriff’s office also recognized the employee’s dedication, compassion and commitment to working with young people entrusted to the facility’s care.
State officials confirmed that the Dodge Durango involved in the collision belonged to the Walls Police Department.
The city’s mayor and police chief also confirmed that a Walls police officer was involved in the crash. Burton’s mother has since clarified that her son is the officer and that he survived.
An SUV displaying Walls Police Department identification was seen being towed from the crash scene Wednesday night.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol is leading the investigation into the fatal collision.
Investigators are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash. Authorities have not released additional details about what led to the vehicles colliding.
The crash resulted in three deaths and left multiple people injured. Burton’s family has asked the public to respect the victims and their loved ones while avoiding the spread of false information.
The investigation remains ongoing.