A Memphis man is now behind bars, accused in a 2024 shootout outside a Lamar Avenue barbershop that left a 9-month-old with a gunshot wound. The arrest is putting fresh scrutiny on a burst of violence that police say unfolded on September 14, 2024, along a busy stretch of Lamar Avenue.
Katraun T. Phillips has been charged with three counts of attempted first-degree murder, three counts of employment of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, and one count of reckless endangerment for discharging a firearm within a motor vehicle, according to Action News 5. Booking records list Phillips’ bond at $250,000. Prosecutors have not released any additional details about a possible indictment or upcoming court date.
Surveillance shows sedan opening fire
According to reporting from Action News 5, police reviewing surveillance video said they saw occupants of a dark-colored Nissan sedan pull up to the barbershop entrance and open fire. Investigators with the Memphis Police Department say an unidentified man fired back, then ducked for cover as the Nissan sped away.
Victims and scene
Officers later found a 9-month-old girl with a gunshot wound to her right side on the 1000 block of Cella Street, police said. A man at the scene had been shot in the left foot. Witnesses told detectives they had been at the barbershop when the exchange of gunfire broke out.
What happens next
Phillips remains jailed on a $250,000 bond. Prosecutors and investigators are still working through surveillance footage and witness statements before any formal filings or grand jury action in Shelby County courts.
Local context
Lamar Avenue is one of several Memphis corridors that local reporting has flagged for persistent public-safety problems, a reality that makes daily life tougher for nearby businesses and residents. A trafficking and other criminal activity report noted that such offenses often cluster along routes like Lamar Avenue, a pattern advocates say will take a coordinated response to address.
Anyone with information about the September 14, 2024, shooting is asked to contact the Memphis Police Department or Crime Stoppers. We will be watching upcoming court filings and local releases for updates on Phillips’ case.
