Crime
Help find missing 14-year-old Alia Shempert, last seen getting into black Tesla
The Memphis Police Department is actively searching for 14-year-old Alia Shempert, who was reported missing on Friday afternoon after she was last seen getting into a black Tesla with an unidentified male in the Berclair neighborhood.
Alia was last seen around 4:25 p.m. on July 18, 2025, in the 4300 block of Jamaica Drive.
Authorities say she entered the vehicle—described as a black or gray Tesla—occupied by a white male and several other individuals.
The circumstances of the encounter remain under investigation.
Alia is described as 5 feet 2 inches tall, weighing approximately 160 pounds. She has brown hair and brown eyes.
At the time of her disappearance, she was wearing a black shirt, black pants, and pink Puma slippers.
Disturbingly, Alia’s personal belongings—including her phone, iPad, and Cash App card—were discovered discarded in the street near the area where she was last seen.
The Memphis Police Department’s Missing Persons Bureau is leading the investigation and is urging the public to come forward with any information that may assist in locating Alia.
If you have seen Alia Shempert or know her whereabouts, please contact the Memphis Police Department at (901) 545-COPS (2677) or the Missing Persons Unit at (901) 636-4479.
Crime
Woman Fatally Struck by Semi-Truck on Birmingham Interstate Exit Ramp Identified as Shontea Baker
Authorities have identified the woman who was killed earlier this week after being struck by a semi-truck on an interstate exit ramp in Birmingham.
The Jefferson County Coroner’s Office confirmed on Friday that the victim was Shontea Renee Baker, 40, a Birmingham resident.
The fatal incident occurred at approximately 10:26 a.m. Wednesday on the Arkadelphia Road exit ramp from Interstate 59/20.
Emergency responders pronounced Baker deceased at the scene at 10:42 a.m.
At this time, no further details regarding the circumstances of the crash have been released.
The Birmingham Police Department is continuing to investigate the incident.