Following a recent incident of violence at the Wolfchase Mall, the suspect in the fatal shooting has had their bond revoked, as reported by the Shelby County District Attorney's Office. Yahir Mejia, the 22-year-old accused shooter, will remain behind bars after Judge Taylor Bachelor decided on Friday to rescind Mejia's bond from an unrelated case. This development comes after Mejia waived his right to a bond hearing during his arraignment for second-degree murder charges related to the mall incident. He is set to attend court on November 24 regarding the murder case, Local Memphis notes.
According to details from the Shelby County District Attorney's Office, Mejia was charged with second-degree murder in the death of Erik Sandoval, stemming from a shooting that occurred outside a store in the Wolfchase Galleria on Monday. The surveillance footage examined by investigators allegedly contradicts Mejia's claim that he acted in self-defense. As claimed by Mejia, the altercation began when Sandoval punched him in the face while he and his girlfriend were shopping in Village Mart, sparking the subsequent deadly act, Action News 5 points out.
Following the shooting, police engaged in a pursuit that ended with Mejia's capture at his mother's residence. Mejia previously had a live video posted on Facebook, where he stated his intention to surrender and maintained that he had fired the shots in self-defense. This statement came after members of the Memphis Safe Task Force successfully coordinated with Mejia's mother, securing his arrest following a brief foot chase, as reported by FOX13 Memphis.
Monday's court session will bring clarity on the course of Mejia's defense, as it will determine whether a request for a mental health evaluation will be made or if the scheduling of a preliminary hearing will proceed. This comes after Mejia had already been out on bond for separate incidents involving theft, drug, and gun charges, Action News 5 reports. The story of Mejia's journey through the legal system continues to unfold, with eyes set on the upcoming court date to reveal the next chapter.
