A planned firearm transaction among teenagers in Covington's North Subs area went awry, culminating in a shootout that left three minors injured, according to the Covington Police Department. In a turn of events last Saturday, police were called to the Baptist Memorial Hospital - Tipton after receiving reports of gunshot victims, as detailed in an Action News 5 article. The investigation led to the arrests of eight individuals, including five teenagers, two parents, and one other adult, for their alleged roles in the incident.
Two juveniles had been previously subjected to house arrest with ankle monitors but were nonetheless implicated in the shooting. As detailed in a FOX13 Memphis report, the two parents of these teens, identified as Tammy Poole, 58, and Vanquita Taylor, 35, were consequently charged with violation of a juvenile court order. Covington Police Chief Donna Turner emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating, "We realize the challenges communities have with juvenile crime. This is an example of juveniles with firearms which could have been fatal."
Markevious Nelson, 23, faces multiple charges including aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, and contributing to the delinquency of a minor, as WREG reports. The incident took place in the 1800 block of Wooten Street, where the planned gun sale devolved into violence. Officers at the scene found a damaged vehicle and other physical evidence consistent with the shooting.
The surveillance footage from nearby cameras was instrumental in identifying the getaway vehicle, a silver Nissan Rogue, according to the same WREG article. Following the arrests, one child was admitted to Le Bonheur Children's Hospital in Memphis, while others sustained non-life-threatening injuries. The Covington Police Department has urged anyone with further information to come forward and assist in their ongoing investigation.
