MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A man accused of shooting and killing his girlfriend, taking off with her then-6-year-old child, then barricading himself in a hotel room in 2022 has been convicted of murder, kidnapping, and more.
The Shelby County District Attorney General's Office said Byron Pipkin was found guilty on all charges, which included first-degree premeditated murder, especially aggravated kidnapping, and three felony gun charges. He is set to be sentenced on April 1.
It all began about 11:45 a.m. Thursday, June 30, 2022, in the 1000 block of Cross Wood Lane. According to the police affidavit, witnesses saw Marquicha Thomas, 28, and Pipkin arguing in the garage of their home. The witnesses told police they saw Thomas run out of the garage, and Pipkin shoot her. They said she collapsed, and Pipkin dragged her back into the garage.
According to the report, investigators said Pipkin went inside the home and told a 6-year-old inside to leave with him. As the two left, police said Pipkin called 9-1-1, telling dispatchers he was following a suspect who shot his girlfriend, and giving them another man’s name. They said Pipkin dropped the child off at another home and took off.
According to the affidavit, detectives determined Pipkin was actually the shooter. They found him the next day, on Friday, July 1, at the Economy Inn hotel at 2344 Ketchum Road in Memphis. The Shelby County Sheriff's Office responded to the scene, where they said Pipkin had barricaded himself inside a room. Negotiators were on scene and were able to get Pipkin to surrender after a three-hour standoff.
The D.A.'s office said during the trial, three children testified. They said one of the children, who was 10 at the time, saw his mother gunned down in their front yard as he was hiding in a car.
