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Father speaks out after suspects rob woman and child at gunpoint in Cooper-Young area

The woman and child were walking back to their vehicle in a parking lot next to Pavo Salon across from Railgarten when three young suspects robbed them at gunpoint.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A warning to all to be careful and stay aware of your surroundings as Memphis Police search for at least three suspects who robbed a woman and child who were walking back to their vehicle after a night out in the Cooper-Young area.

“The next thing I know I see him in his mother’s arms,” said the father of the 11-year-old victim, who asked not to share his family's names out an abundance of caution.

For the family, June 8, 2023, was supposed to be a night celebrating a band playing their first gig in decades.

According to the report from Memphis Police, the woman and boy were walking back to their vehicle in the parking lot in the 2100 block of Central near Cooper, next to Pavo Salon and across from Railgarten, about 10:45 p.m.

Video shows a small silver sedan pull into the parking lot as the victims got into their vehicle, and two suspects jumped out, and one person stayed in the driver’s seat. The woman told officers the two suspects had a small pistol and possibly and AK-style gun, and pointed it at her and the boy. According to the report, one suspect said, “B***h get out of the car or I’m going to shoot you.”

The woman told police the suspects took her keys, wallet with cash and cards, iPhone, and a phone charger.

Video shows the suspects jumping back into their sedan and taking off without the victim’s vehicle.

The police report describes the suspects as about 12 to 15-years-old.

The 11-year-old said this was one of the scariest moments of their life. Right after it happened, all the boy wanted to do was go home, lock the doors, go to bed and forget it all happened.

Family of the victim said the 11-year-old started therapy this week, beginning a road to recovery. However, every session is now a reminder of what happened.

“What is he going to do, and they choose to put a gun to his temple... We’re ticked off and we want to see justice served,” said the father, as the family waits for any updates on the arrest. “My son is wondering every day, have they caught them? Have they caught them?”

The family said that city leaders from both sides of the aisle need to make a change, because what is going on right now is not working. The father admits the issue is complex, and there is not one broad solution, but does think extra support for police and stricter punishments for the robbers are a necessary step.

“I want them off the street, not only for my family but there are a lot of other families that they’re attacking right now," said the father. “It’s pretty traumatic but we want to make it better.”

Anyone with information on who the suspects are is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH.

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