Two individuals are now facing charges in the wake of a Christmas Day shooting at a Hickory Hill gas station that left one man dead and another injured. WREG reports that a 17-year-old boy, whose name has not been disclosed due to his minor status, was arrested on January 23. Authorities have charged the teen with being an accessory after the fact to second-degree murder and with tampering with evidence.
During the incident, which took place around 11 a.m. on Christmas Day, Memphis Police Department (MPD) responded to a call about a shooting at the Exxon gas station on Kirby Parkway. They discovered Lawrence Cooper with a gunshot wound; he was pronounced dead shortly afterwards. The Action News 5 team provided additional details noting that surveillance footage played a critical role in piecing together the events of that day.
Another suspect, Ja'Vonte L. Cooper, 19, had already been arrested in December and faces charges of second-degree murder and employment of a firearm during a dangerous felony. According to FOX13 Memphis, the altercation that led to the shooting stemmed from a fight between the suspects and the victim.
The situation escalated when Ja'Vonte and a male passenger, later revealed to be the armed 17-year-old, arrived at the location in a silver Ford SUV. "The video showed Lawrence and Ja’Vonte walking into the gas station, and Ja’Vonte can be seen with a handgun under his left arm," WREG's article detailed. After the shooting, camera footage captured the suspects fleeing the scene in the same vehicle. Ja'Vonte later sought medical attention for a gunshot wound, which he self-inflicted during the incident.
Lawrence Cooper, also known by "Coop," was identified by Ja'Vonte Cooper during questioning, where he admitted to the shooting, claiming that he had asked Lawrence not to approach him. With a bond set to $300,000, Ja'Vonte's court appearance is slated for February 9, as per information from WREG. The case continues to develop as authorities work to provide justice for the victim and his family.
