MEMPHIS, Tenn — A man is behind bars, charged in a shooting that left a 7-year-old girl in critical condition Monday night in Hickory Hill.
Memphis Police said 32-year-old Leo Benton is charged with attempted first-degree murder, aggravated child abuse, convicted felon in possession of a handgun, and possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony.
MPD officers responded to a shooting in the 3500 block of Fox Meadows Rd. near Winchester Rd. just before 9:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 7, 2023. They found a girl shot, and she was taken in critical condition to Le Bonheur.
According to the police affidavit, Benton was with his girlfriend and her daughter watching TV, when the witness said he jumped up with his gun in his hand, "smirked and laughed," then fired a shot at the 7-year-old girl.
The affidavit said Benton left the room and gave the gun to another woman at the scene, who put it in her room until police arrived. The witness said Benton them left the scene.
When police arrived, they found the young girl struck by a bullet to the right side of her head, according to the affidavit. As she was taken to the hospital, police said they located Benton nearby and took him into custody.
Anyone with additional information related to this incident can call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-2274 (CASH) with tips.