What started as a drive-thru dispute at a Church’s Chicken on Park Avenue in Memphis ended in deadly gunfire, leaving an employee fatally wounded on the night of July 8, 2024. The worker was found shot at the restaurant and was pronounced dead at a local hospital shortly after 9 p.m., according to police.
What investigators have released
Investigators say surveillance video shows a woman with purple hair in a teal-colored compact SUV arguing with the employee at the drive-thru window. Moments later, the worker stepped outside and gunshots rang out. Detectives released still images from the footage and a description of the vehicle while asking the public for tips, as reported by Action News 5.
Vehicle, images, and company response
Local crews report that the images and the teal SUV tied to the case were widely circulated, and investigators say the vehicle was later located and seized as evidence. Church’s Chicken temporarily shut down the Park Avenue location for several days and said it is cooperating with law enforcement while providing support to employees affected by the shooting, according to local reporting. WLBT noted the company’s statement.
Arrest, affidavit, and charges
Memphis police subsequently identified 45-year-old Monica Williams in connection with the killing, and a warrant was issued for her arrest. Williams was booked on July 15 on a charge of first-degree murder, according to an arrest affidavit reviewed by Action News 5. Investigators say witness accounts and the surveillance footage were key pieces in building the case outlined in the affidavit.
Why the story is back in circulation
The killing has resurfaced in recent roundups of older cases, including a May 27, 2026 post on eatSCV, which pointed readers back to the deadly confrontation that unfolded in July 2024. Local outlets originally shared the police be-on-the-lookout alert and follow-up coverage when the homicide and the subsequent warrant were first announced; that earlier coverage is summarized in earlier coverage.
Worker safety and prevention
The shooting underscores the ongoing risk of customer violence facing front-line workers in fast food, retail, and other public-facing jobs. Federal safety officials recommend measures such as workplace-violence prevention plans, better lighting and visibility, and robust surveillance and staff training to lower that risk. Those steps are detailed in guidance from OSHA and reinforced by research and safety resources from the NIOSH/CDC.
Anyone with information about the shooting is urged to contact CrimeStoppers of Memphis and Shelby County or the Memphis Police Department. Local reports note that tips can be submitted through the CrimeStoppers website or by phone. Investigators say the case remains open and that they are still seeking additional witnesses and any remaining footage from the area, per local reporting. WLBT.
