MEMPHIS, Tenn. — An 18-year-old charged in the shooting of a FedEx employee has been released from jail on his own recognizance, a decision the Shelby County District Attorney General disagrees with.
Two others charged in the case are being held on $80,000 bond each.
Tyreese Earnest, 18, is one of three men charged in the shooting that happened around 4 a.m. on Oct. 30, 2024, in the FedEx Hub parking lot along Democrat Road. He is charged with attempted second-degree murder, employing a firearm with intent to commit a felony, reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon, and vandalism.
According to court records, during a hearing on Nov. 12 a judge reduced Earnest’s bond from $200,000 to ROR (Released on Own Recognizance).
In a statement, Shelby County D.A. Steve Mulroy said, “Our office opposed lowering the suspect’s bond. The details of the alleged crime, the fact the victim was ambushed, and the violent nature of it convinces us that this suspect is a threat to public safety. I respect the court’s decision but disagree with it.”
A pair of 18-year-old twins - Ja'Marcus Odell and Ja'Marion Odell – are also charged in the shooting. They are each charged with attempted facilitation of second-degree murder. They are in the Shelby County Jail with bonds set at $80,000 each.
Memphis Police officers responded to the shooting about 4 a.m. the morning of Oct. 30, which, according to the police affidavit, was during a shift change at the FedEx Hub.
Officers found the victim inside the ‘North Tower’ shot several times. He told investigators he had been shot in the north end of the parking lot and drove to the ‘North Tower’ for help, according to the affidavit.
Police said surveillance video showed three suspects looking through the victim’s car window about 20 minutes before the shooting. They said the three suspects were then seen getting into a small sedan parked near the victim's car.
Investigators said when the victim was at his car, the same three men were seen on video at the crime scene at the time of the shooting.
Investigators said the victim recognized the suspects by face and phone number, because they worked in the same area and were part of a group chat together.
Police said Earnest waived his rights under questioning and admitted to his involvement in the shooting. They said he identified the other two suspects as being at the scene, the affidavit said.
Investigators said the victim identified Earnest as the one who shot him and told him, "If you move imma shoot you" moments before shots were fired.
Police said Ja'Marcus Odell admitted his involvement and told investigators Ja'Marion Odell drove all three of them from the crime scene in their father's car.
An early statement after the shooting from a FedEx spokesperson said an employee had accidentally fired his personal gun in the parking lot. FedEx later released the following statement:
“We are thankful our team member did not sustain serious injuries, and we hope for a speedy recovery. There is no higher priority than the safety and security of our team members, and we are cooperating fully with investigating authorities. All further questions should be directed to Memphis Police.”
