MEMPHIS, Tenn — The grieving mother of Alfonzo Turner spoke with ABC24 the same day her son's accused killer, Darion Banks, appeared in a Shelby County courtroom.
The 20-year-old is also accused of killing another man, Tedarius Day, near Turner's restaurant "Tha Table" in the 3200 block of Elvis Presley Blvd on Sunday.
“My son became a hard worker," Michelle King Alfonzo Turner’s Mother said. "He would get out, put his grill on the back of the truck, just to go out to make money."
Wednesday, Alfonzo's family recalled his gift for music, his love of his family, his faith and his hard work.
Alfonzo’s mother said she and Alfonzo’s fiancée were at his restaurant just moments before the tragic events unfolded Sunday afternoon, taking the life of her only son.
“This was an outlet for the city of Memphis for people to come together," King said. "And it was only shattered because somebody just wants to come and take something, don’t want to work.”
Turner's family said “Tha Table” will close after Sunday’s events.
“The number one question that I would ask is just 'Why?'" Alfonzo's uncle Cedric King said. “To know Smooch was to love him!”
According to arrest reports, Banks and another man, 22-year-old Michael Shaffer, were at the scene on Elvis Presley Sunday in a stolen Infiniti sedan.
The report said Banks told police he and Shaffer were trying to break into cars at the restaurant and at some point later, Banks said they returned and shot up the business.
For many in the area, it's a sad end to a business Alfonzo wanted to use to bring people together in Whitehaven.
“I pray mercy on the souls of the individuals that took my son from me," King said. “It’s painful, but something good will come out of this."