59-year-old James Turner was charged with first-degree murder after a witness reported he was involved in an argument with an unidentified male victim about a card and then shot him in the head and left. The victim was pronounced deceased at the scene.
On June 20th around 2:00 PM, Memphis Police and Memphis Fire were dispatched to the Riviera Apartments at 1632 Ellsworth Street in reference to a shooting victim, who has not been positively identified at this time. The victim was found unresponsive and appeared to have been shot in the head. The victim was pronounced deceased on the scene by paramedics at 2:26 PM. The Shelby County Medical Examiner then arrived and determined the victim’s death to be a homicide.
Memphis Police contacted witness Marion Hardy, who advised was in the home with James Turner and the victim. According to the affidavit, Marion reported that James and the victim got into an argument about a card earlier that day. He said they were in the bedroom together. He then heard a gunshot and observed James leaving the apartment. When Marion asked what happened, James said that nothing happened and left. Marion then went into the bedroom and saw the victim on the floor with a gunshot wound.
Police found a gun in the bedroom that was identified by Marion to belong to James. Investigators and Task Force officers then went to the home of James Turner at 2291 Steve Road and placed him into custody.
James Turner was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. His arraignment is set for Monday, June 22nd at 9:00 AM.
