Four men were apprehended after an alleged home invasion in Tipton County which escalated into a chase involving local deputies. The incident, described by Tipton County Sheriff Shannon Beasley, occurred around 2:30 a.m. on Old L&N Road in Mason, as reported by FOX13 Memphis. During the response to the burglary, deputies identified the suspects' vehicle and initiated a pursuit, which ended at a cul-de-sac on Gainsville Lane.
The chase led to the apprehension of three individuals at the scene, while the fourth, armed with an AR-15 style rifle and masked, managed to flee on foot. Deputies later identified the gun-toting suspect as Marcus Carlton, found hours later, not during the chase but was related to the earlier burglary, as stated by Sheriff Beasley. The other three, according to WREG News, include 19-year-olds Tavion Gray and Christian Johnson, and 23-year-old Kyree Cunningham, all charged with aggravated burglary and possession of a firearm during a dangerous felony, with Gray receiving an additional charge for felony evading.
Following the event, Sheriff Beasley highlighted the potential danger that was averted, as no one was hurt despite the involvement of a high-powered firearm. "This could have ended differently when the suspect jumped out of the car with the AR-15-style rifle in hand. I’m glad no one was injured or even worse," Sheriff Beasley indicated in a statement obtained by WREG News. He also expressed relief that the discarded rifle was found by deputies before it could be stumbled upon by residents, particularly children. The sheriff praised his deputies for their keen observation and pursuit skills, which led to the suspects' arrests and the recovery of the firearm.
Bond for each suspect has been set at $150,000, and they are expected to return to court on August 2, 2024. Carlton was also wanted on a fugitive warrant out of Shelby County. The sheriff's department, still on leads for the remaining aspects of the case, is urging anyone with relevant information to contact the Criminal Investigations Division at 901-475-3300. Community engagement becomes crucial in stitching together the narrative of such an early morning disturbance, one not just of law, but of the peace that comes in believing one's home to be inviolable.
