Two men have been arrested in connection to a fatal shooting that took the life of an 18-year-old in South Memphis, as the Memphis Police Department responded to the incident that unfolded on June 18 on the 1700 block of Castalia Street. The victim, found suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, was rushed to Regional One where he succumbed to his injuries. It was reported by WREG that alongside the deceased were an 11-year-old and a 15-year-old, who although shot at, managed to escape unharmed.
Following the altercation on June 18, Edd Pickens, 19, was identified by investigators as being present at the scene, driving what later turned out to be a stolen car. According to a statement obtained by WREG, Pickens admitted to police that after visiting a store in Castalia, an argument erupted over a debt, ensuing which he attempted to quickly leave the scene. However, one of the men in the car persuaded him to return, culminating in the tragic shooting. As for the suspect, rounds fired were purportedly directed at the three individuals embroiled in the argument, leading to the fatality and near misses on the lives of the two youths.
Following the capture of Pickens, Gabrien Rounds, 19, was also pegged as a suspect but evaded authorities until yesterday when a routine traffic stop led to his arrest. Action News 5 reports that Pickens currently faces charges including facilitation of first-degree murder and theft of property, having been released on a $150,000 bond. On the other hand, Rounds faces charges of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and use of a firearm during a dangerous felony, though his bond has yet to be set.
