Memphis has found itself grappling with the aftermath of a violent misunderstanding that left one man dead and several vehicles riddled with bullets. Allegations have surfaced indicating that 31-year-old Gabriel Pickett, fearing perceived followers, turned to fatal measures. Memphis Police Department (MPD) officials reported last Saturday at 11:45 PM, an urgent shots-fired call near Knight Arnold and Perkins prompted an immediate response.
Upon their arrival, officers were flagged down by an individual reporting a suspect in a white t-shirt and grey sweatpants walking eastbound on Knight Arnold, discharging a firearm at passing cars, including the individual's own 2014 red BMW. Pickett, fitting the suspect's description, was detained but later released after the victim could not positively identify him as the shooter, as detailed in an article by FOX13 Memphis.
The situation further escalated yesterday, when officers were drawn into a domestic disturbance involving Pickett. After defusing a verbal altercation in the 3200 block of Cookie Cove, authorities escorted Pickett to his home. It was there that Pickett led officers to a grim scene, claiming he did not want to enter his residence because there was a dead body inside. Investigators discovered a deceased man inside Pickett's home, fatally wounded by gunfire, as recounted by Action News 5.
Further inquiry revealed surveillance footage from a nearby residence showing Pickett in a violent altercation with the victim at his home's entrance, where Pickett was seen firing multiple shots. He then ran to the street, gunning at a passing Dodge Challenger on Craig, and continued to shoot at other cars on Knight Arnold. Pickett’s actions seemingly stemmed from a deep-seated belief that he was constantly being trailed, which he revealed to the Homicide Bureau, saying he "believed people had been following him for several months and had a gun to protect himself," as reported by WREG News.
The alleged delusion prompted Pickett to fire upon the man he thought was part of this relentless pursuit. He recounted to police that he had instructed the victim to stay in his room, but the subsequent appearance of the victim "startled him," leading to the fatal shots. Pickett also confessed to his attempts to neutralize the vehicles he considered a threat, firing indiscriminately before disposing of the weapon along with Knight Arnold. He has been charged with second-degree murder and reckless endangerment, with a court hearing scheduled for Monday.
