MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Shelby County Grand Jury indicted a man who Memphis Police believe is connected with a deadly shooting and police chase in August 2023, according to court records
Keishun Smith, 21, was indicted June 25, 2024, on charges of criminal attempt first degree murder and evading arrest. He also faces charges of burglary and vandalism in a separate case. Smith is currently in the Shelby County Jail with a bond of $855,000.
The shooting
Memphis Police responded to the shooting on Aug. 27, 2023, around 8:45 p.m. at the 5700 Block of Tangle Oaks Drive in northeast Memphis, where they found two men who had been shot. One man, identified in the affidavit as P'aire Farmer, died at the scene, and the other was taken to Regional One Health in non-critical condition.
According to the police affidavit for the murder charge, Smith and another man were visiting with Farmer and another man and woman at the apartment, which also had three children present. The affidavit said the woman went to a back room, and then heard Smith loudly saying "Don't move" before hearing several gunshots in the living room. The affidavit said she barricaded herself in the back room with the children.
Farmer and the other man had remained in the living room with Smith and Smith's friend. and according to the affidavit, the other man told officers Smith pulled out a gun and shot both him and Farmer "with no provocation." That victim was shot in the ankle, and was able to barricade in another room. According to the affidavit, Smith tried to get into both rooms but couldn't.
The police chase & arrest
Shortly before 1:30 p.m. Monday, Aug. 28, officers said they located Smith in a silver Nissan Sentra at Covington Pike and I-40 eastbound. MPD said Smith refused to stop for the officers and that's when the chase began.
During the chase, officers said they saw Smith throw a firearm from the car in the area of I-240 and Mount Moriah. The weapon was later recovered by other officers.
Police said they tried to use stop sticks to halt the Nissan Sentra. Investigators said Smith tried to hit an officer in response, but instead crashed into a pole at Ridgeway Rd. and Belle Forest. They said Smith ran from the car, but officers quickly captured him and took him into custody.