Memphis Tennessee News Reports: November 2014

Sunday, November 30, 2014

Friends, coworkers fondly remember shooting victim - WMC Action News 5

MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) -

Social media was abuzz on Saturday with people praising the victim of a deadly Friday night shooting.

Police have yet to release the name of the man who was killed Friday evening on Walnut Bend Road, but his friends and coworkers identify him as Jarmelle Jones, or "JoJo."

Jones worked at Ching's Wings as a cook for the past few years. He was a 2011 University of Memphis graduate, a well-known party promoter in the city, and a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, according to friends. His acquaintances also say he was a mentor to several local kids.

According to Memphis Police Department, Jones was killed during a home invasion robbery. Police say his girlfriend was also shot, but she is recovering and was released from the hospital.

Investigators say the two men responsible were wearing all black clothing, ski-masks, and gloves.

Jones' coworkers at Ching's Wings are still in disbelief.

"He's like my godson," said Jones' manager, Neisey Bobo. "JoJo, you couldn't ask for a better person. He's the same person every time that you see him, and he's a positive person."

Another coworker, Alexandria Pounders, saw Jones at Ching's Wings just hours before he was shot.

"I just never thought that would be the last time I would see him," said Pounders. "If I would have known I would have hugged him tighter, closer, told him I loved him."

Jones' coworkers say he was well-known for giving back to others.

"He was very involved in the community, mentoring younger guys," said Ching's Wings manager Stacey Jackson.

Police haven't said whether the victims and suspects knew each other or whether the shooting was random.

If you have any information, call Crime Stoppers at 901-528-CASH.

"I just hope justice is served," Pounders said. "They find who did it and everything goes like it should go."

Police: 1 killed in home invasion robbery - WMC Action News 5

MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) -

A man was shot and killed in the 600 block of North Walnut Bend Road on Friday evening.

According to Memphis Police Department, a woman called police claiming her boyfriend had been shot during a home invasion robbery.

MPD says the man, 26-year-old Jarmelle Jones, was pronounced dead on the scene. The woman who called the police had also been shot. She was taken to the hospital in non-critical condition.

Neighbors who live nearby are now concerned about their safety.

"It's going to make me be more careful and watch my surroundings," said neighbor Chris Simmons. "I hope everything is okay over there and its not as bad as it looks. But I will definitely be on the lookout."

The suspects have been described as two men, wearing all black clothing, ski masks, and gloves, according to MPD. They reportedly took a black 2006 Dodge Charger with TN license plate 0344TG.

In a MPD update, the car was recovered around 4 a.m. Saturday morning.

According to police, though it was rumored that this shooting was related to the Friday shooting at the Pure Passion bikini bar, it does not appear that those incidents are connected.

No arrests have been made, but the shooting is still under investigation.

Ferguson-related protest at Memphis intersection - WMC Action News 5

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - Protesters in Memphis are expressing their feelings about the shooting of an unarmed man by a police officer in Ferguson, Missouri.

Holding signs saying "stop police violence" and "value all lives," about 200 protesters gathered Tuesday afternoon at a busy intersection in east Memphis near shops, restaurants and a large grocery. Some motorists honked car horns in solidarity as they passed.

The protesters are chanting slogans such as "this is what democracy looks like." They are gathering a day after a grand jury decided not to indict white officer Darren Wilson in the Aug. 9 shooting death of 18-year-old Michael Brown, who was black.

Memphis Police Director Toney Armstrong shook hands with protesters and spoke with them. Armstrong told reporters he was pleased that the protests were peaceful.