MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The two men charged in Sunday's deadly shooting in Whitehaven that killed one and injured 10 others made their first court appearances Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023.
Julius Freeman and Ladarius Marion are both due back in court Thursday, Feb. 23 for bond/bail hearings.
Freeman is charged with one count of facilitation of second degree murder, five counts of attempted facilitation of second degree murder and five counts of possession of a firearm in commission of a dangerous felony.
Marion was arrested Monday after an arrest warrant was issued for one count of second degree murder, five counts of attempted second degree murder, five counts of possession of a firearm in commission of a dangerous felony and five counts of employment of a weapon during a dangerous felony.
Investigators said the two men represent two of three persons of interest Memphis Police were looking for after the overnight shooting Sunday. They said they are still looking for a white sedan in connection with the shooting.
Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH.
Police responded to a shooting at Live Lounge on East Shelby Drive at 12:43 a.m. Sunday. Two victims were taken to the hospital in critical condition. Five others with less serious injuries went to area hospitals in private vehicles. Those five have since been released from the hospital.
While police were on the scene, they were notified of more shooting victims about a mile away at Shelby Drive and Boeingshire Drive. At that scene, one male victim was pronounced dead and three other victims were transported to the hospital in critical condition, according to police.
For the Whitehaven community, it was a long and difficult day. Witnesses and community advocates were trying to find out what happened and how to move forward.
“It went on rapidly, like it stopped for a few minutes and then it started up again,” said Kaila Smith when describing what she heard Sunday morning, “After that it just stopped and all you hear is sirens.”
The chaotic moments just a little more than a mile apart, left several in Whitehaven distraught and outraged.
“There are kids here, that come by here, my son plays with his friends by the bus right here. It shouldn’t be like this,” said Samuel Thornton Hawkins Sr.
Editor's Note: The original article stated that Marion was charged with two counts of second degree murder. That report was incorrect, and has since been corrected to one second degree murder charge.