Teacher becomes Memphis' 214th homicide, most in recorded history

MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) - Memphis Police Department is investigating the 214th homicide of the year.

That is the most homicides Memphis has ever seen, breaking the previous high of 213 set in 1993.

Investigators said they learned of the most recent homicide when a man said he found his co-worker unresponsive in the 5400 block of Pipers Gap Drive, near Bartlett Road and Pleasant View.

"He was a good neighbor, hadn't been in the house two-three months," one neighbor said.

Officers determined the victim had been shot in what appears to be a home invasion.

Witnesses said the victim is a teacher at Shelby County Schools. Neighbors said the teacher just moved into the home a few months ago. His neighbor also said he was an employee at Amro's Music.

"It's just senseless that that's happened so close to home," one neighbor said. "It's unfathomable. It's just unbelievable that it hit here in my neighborhood. It really stinks and I wish it would stop."

One person has been detained, but no charges have been filed at this time.

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland said the number of homicides in the city makes him furious.

"They will find you. They will arrest you and take you to jail," Strickland said, regarding anyone who chooses to kill another person.

According to a statement released by MPD Director Mike Rallings, 150 of the homicide cases this year have been solved. That makes for a more than 70 percent solve rate.

In that statement, Rallings said "I have a message to those that choose to be on the other side of the law and terrorize the citizens of Memphis, we will not rest. We will not stop."

He also pointed out that 50 percent of the victims knew their killer. Of all the homicides, 30 were domestic violence related and 72 were gang related.

"I'm mad one human being would take another human being's life," Strickland said.

Strickland expressed his anger about the homicide numbers, but also expressed condolences to the families of those who are missing someone this holiday season.

"It's something a parent or loved one never gets over, the loss of those loves," Strickland said.

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