MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Memphis man who was out on bail after a dice game shooting that killed a woman has now been indicted on a charge of reckless homicide.
Several other cases against Marvin Watkins have also been sent to a Shelby County Grand Jury. He faces charges including auto theft, burglary, and more. The cases were sent to the grand jury on May 24, 2024.
Watkins had posted $27,500 bond and was released from jail in January 2024 on the reckless homicide and a theft charge. He was then rebooked again in May, and now is in jail on $175,000 bond.
Dice game shooting
Memphis Police officers were called to Methodist North Hospital just after 6 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023, when the victim, identified as Tatyana Fitzpatrick, was brought in by private vehicle. She died from her injuries.
According to the police affidavit, surveillance video showed the shooting in the 3900 block of Frayser-Raleigh Rd. They said the video showed six men playing dice, and Fitzpatrick sitting on a wall looking at her phone. Investigators said the video showed three of the men start shooting toward the road, with one last shot from a man wearing a hoodie with a star on it firing last, hitting Fitzpatrick, who fell off the wall to the ground.
The affidavit said the man in the star hoodie was identified as Marvin Watkins through a CrimeStoppers tip.
On Jan 4, 2024, MPD officers spotted a stolen Nissan Altima at Hawkins Mill and New Allen. They detained the driver, who turned out to be Watkins, according to the affidavit. Investigators said the car had been stolen from outside the TJ Mulligan's on Trinity Rd.
The affidavit said under questioning, Watkins denied shooting a gun, but identified himself in still pictures from the video. Investigators said the picture he identified was the man in the video who fired the gun that killed Fitzpatrick.
Arrested again in May 2024
According to court records, Watkins was arrested again in May 2024. An affidavit from police said that on May 14, officers spotted a stolen 2023 Subaru Forester in the area of Crockett St. and Lewis. They said the vehicle had been stolen April 27.
Officers said they saw the vehicle pull into the Hawkins Mill Mart and three men get out and go into the store. According to the affidavit, officers went in and detained the three, identifying Watkins as the driver. Investigators said they found marijuana on him, more drugs they believe he dropped as he was detained, and the key fob to the stolen car in his jacket.
Court records also show several charges of theft and burglary against Watkins were also sent to the grand jury. Details on the incidents behind those charges were not available.
