Man Suspected of Memphis Shootings Found Dead, Ending Manhunt

Suspect Found Dead with Apparent Self-Inflicted Gunshot Wound

After an intense manhunt, the police in Memphis reported that Mavis Christian Jr., the man suspected of fatally shooting three women and a 13-year-old girl, was found dead early Sunday. The authorities believe Christian died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, putting an end to the hourslong search for the perpetrator.

Domestic Violence Incident

The police stated that all the victims were relatives of Christian, and the shootings were believed to be connected. Preliminary information suggested that the tragic events were an incident of domestic violence.

Multiple Shooting Locations

The shootings occurred at three different locations on Saturday. The first shooting took place on Field Lark Drive, a residential neighborhood in southwestern Memphis. According to witnesses, Christian killed a single mother and her 13-year-old daughter at this location. Neighbors reported that a teenager ran down the street screaming for help after the initial gunshots. The teen was also shot and taken to the hospital.

In the evening, two more shootings were reported, one at around 6:30 p.m. and another at around 9:30 p.m. Both victims were found dead at the respective scenes.

Fear and Community Impact

The shootings have left the neighborhood shaken and residents on edge. This tragic event comes just over a year after another series of shootings that led to a citywide manhunt. Tyler Bee Singer, a resident near the second shooting on Warrington Road, expressed the shock and surprise felt by the community, stating, “No one saw this coming.”

Anxiety During the Manhunt

As the manhunt unfolded, residents like Valita Jefferson, who lived near the site of the third shooting, anxiously watched from the closed-off street. The uncertainty and fear surrounding the situation were undeniable, with Jefferson describing it as “kind of frightening.” Another neighbor, Darren Hardrick, had interacted with Christian earlier in the day and noted that everything seemed normal. The sudden turn of events left him bewildered.

Family’s Reaction

Mavis Christian Sr., the gunman’s father, visited Field Lark Drive after hearing about the shootings on the news. He expressed surprise at the tragedy and described his son as a quiet individual who had occasional outbursts of anger. The family’s perspective sheds some light on the complexity of the situation.

Prior Criminal Record

State records indicate that Mavis Christian Jr. had a previous criminal record and was listed as a felony offender. Although the exact charges and sentence details were not immediately available, this information suggests a history of involvement with the criminal justice system.

Anna Betts contributed reporting.

Read More of this Story at www.nytimes.com – 2023-11-19 20:50:28

Read More Latest News