MEMPHIS, Tenn. —
A third suspect has been charged in connection with a chase through South Memphis left a woman dead and injured an officer and three suspects.
According to court records, Devante Abston is charged with theft of property, intentionally evading arrest, evading arrest, and convicted felon in possession of a gun. Bond was set at $30,000. His affidavit said he had a previous conviction for receiving stolen property in DeSoto County, Mississippi.
Memphis Police previously said 18-year-old Trevor Randle and an unnamed 17-year-old were each charged with theft of property $10,000-$60,000, evading arrest, and unlawful possession of a weapon. Randle was released on his own recognizance - without having to post a bond - on Dec. 15. Randle also faces charges of auto burglary, theft, and vandalism in another case. The charges in both cases have been sent to a grand jury, according to court records.
The chase & crash
Investigators said the chase Thursday, Dec. 14, 2023, started when officers tried to pull over a white Infiniti SUV with a broken rear passenger side window near Castalia and Person. Police said suspects who shot at police the night before used the vehicle.
According to Randle's court affidavit, the chase continued at high-speed for several miles. The SUV crashed into a parked car at Holmes near Farley in Whitehaven. When hit, police said the parked car ran into a woman pedestrian, who died at the scene.
After the crash, the SUV kept going before it crashed again, this time with an MPD squad car, police said. The affidavit said several suspects took off running and officers were able to tale three suspects into custody. Abston's affidavit identifies him as the driver of the vehicle.
Police said one suspect was taken to Regional One in critical condition, while the other two were taken to nearby hospitals in stable condition. An MPD officer was taken to a nearby hospital in stable condition.
Investigators said the SUV had been stolen, and at least four guns were found inside the crashed vehicle, and one rifle was found a few feet away, according to the affidavits.
Concerns for neighbors
Lifelong Whitehaven neighbor, Linda Austin, said her neighborhood used to be quiet and decent, and she is fed up with crime coming into her community. She and other Memphians are asking parents and community members to get their teens under control.
"Parents need to take accountability for their kids. They think they can do whatever they want to do and get away with it,” said Austin.
Memphis native Jaran Claybrook said Memphians need to do a better job as a community to prevent youth from turning to crime.
"We can try to get them while they're young, so they don't go down that path,” Claybrook said.
Memphians also question police tactics. They wonder if police pursuits are even worth it, since another innocent bystander was killed in a Nov. 2023 chase in Hickory Hill.
"It's ridiculous when you've got to chase a car into a residential neighborhood where people are coming and going. Somebody's going to get hurt,” said Austin.
Claybrook said police should stop a pursuit once it reaches a certain speed.
"They're putting innocent people who have nothing to do with the situation...at risk. But then again, you could say that they need to pursue because they might get away,” said Claybrook.
According to MPD policy and procedures, officers are only allowed to pursue if the suspect is accused of a violent felony, and only with permission from a supervisor.