Memphis has seen its share of tumultuous events, but the incident at the EZ Express gas station on August 12 was particularly notable, ending in a shootout involving police. Nineteen-year-old Roger Allen has been arrested and charged with aggravated robbery and theft of property, Memphis Police report. An intense confrontation occurred at the gas station, where four men reportedly confronted a patron, threatening to shoot him and eventually stealing his handgun, iPhone, and Apple watch.
According to an Action News 5 report, the altercation turned violent when a security guard intervened, promptly escalating to gunfire. The suspects attempted to swiftly leave the scene in a white Ford Fusion, which was later identified as stolen from Allen's sister. The Memphis Police, including an officer who happened to witness the shootout, engaged in a pursuit that led to an officer firing shots.
Further details emerged when a second arrest was made in the ongoing investigation. Along with Allen, 22-year-old Jaylin Briggs was taken into custody and faces charges that include aggravated robbery and two counts of aggravated assault, as presented by FOX13 Memphis. Unfortunately, their reports indicate that despite these arrests, other suspects in the case are still at large.
Video footage captured by a local news source, WREG, displayed the chaos of the incident, showing moments during and after the robbery when shots were fired. "The suspects refused to stop and drove north on Mountain Terrace with the officer in pursuit," WREG highlighted. To exacerbate the intensity of the situation, an officer discharged a firearm at one of the suspects who continued to evade arrest. This suspect still remains unidentified and unapprehended. WREG's coverage also stated the victim suffered visible injuries in the altercation, and the security guard received treatment at the scene for minor wounds.
All parties now face the legal reckoning of their actions. While Jaylin Briggs has since been released from jail due to insufficient evidence for formal prosecution, Roger Allen is held on a $45,000 bond. An impending court appearance awaits Allen, set to determine more in this complex case of violence, theft, and public endangerment. No court date has yet been specified for the other defendants.
