Wolfchase Galleria shooting case sent to grand jury following preliminary hearing
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Yahir Mejia, 22, accused of fatally shooting Erik Sandoval inside Wolfchase Galleria in mid-November, stood before a criminal court judge Tuesday for a preliminary hearing. The case is now headed to the grand jury.
Mejia is charged with felony second-degree murder in Sandoval’s death. Police said the shooting stemmed from an altercation, but Mejia has claimed he acted in self-defense.
Investigators reviewed surveillance video and said it “does not support Mejia’s claim of self-defense,” police added.
During the preliminary hearing, prosecutors introduced evidence and called two witnesses, including a detective over the case and Mejia’s girlfriend, who is expecting a child with Mejia.
The investigator on the stand told prosecutors he interrogated Mejia after he was detained. He said Mejia confessed to what had happened and Mejia said he was “forced to shoot Sandoval” in fear of his life.
The investigator said Mejia told him Sandoval went into the Village Mart inside Wolfchase, approached Mejia, they exchanged words and Sandoval then asked Mejia to come outside. The investigator said Mejia’s interrogation and surveillance video did not match.
According to surveillance video, Mejia was following Sandoval out of the store, Sandoval struck Mejia in the face, Mejia took a few steps back, then grabbed his gun from his waistband and shot Sandoval three times in the neck and chest. The investigator said at the crime scene, Sandoval was unarmed. When Mejia was interrogated, investigators say he told them Sandoval’s hands were empty at the time of the shooting.
The prosecutor asked the detective if anyone nearby Mejia or Sandoval were armed at the time of the shooting. The detective said Mejia told him a person with Sandoval named Julio Rivera, might have been “clutching” - insinuating Rivera may have had a weapon under his clothes. Sandoval’s friend walked away when Sandoval threw the punch at Mejia.
Mejia told investigators he threw the gun into the woods after the shooting, but the gun was never located by ATF agents.
Investigators say after reviewing all surveillance footage, Mejia was under no threat of any weapon and there was no reason for Mejia to fear for his life after the punch was thrown.
Mejia’s girlfriend, Tommi Hay, then took the stand. Mejia’s attorney, Brandon Hall questioned Hay first. Hay told Hall she was inside the store with Mejia when Sandoval approached Mejia.
Hay told prosecutors she knew Mejia had a gun and there was going to be a fight. Hay said ‘yes and no’ when prosecutors asked if she was surprised Mejia pulled out a gun and shot Sandoval.
When shots rang out, she told prosecutors she left the mall with Mejia and went to their apartment to get Mejia’s vehicle. Mejia then left their apartment by himself to to go to his mothers house where he was arrested.
Hay says she didn’t know Sandoval but had spoken to Rivera before on social media.
The case has been sent to the grand jury, meaning a group of Shelby County citizens will privately assess evidence presented to determine if there’s enough probable cause to formally charge Mejia with the felony. If the grand jury finds probable cause, Mejia will be indicted.
Click here to sign up for our newsletter!
Click here to report a spelling or grammar error. Please include the headline.
Copyright 2025 WMC. All rights reserved.