Memphis police say a domestic dispute inside an apartment on the 6400 block of Moriah Lane turned into a violent assault, leaving a woman bruised and soaked in cleaning liquid and her partner in handcuffs.
Officers responded to the apartment on May 9 and arrested 29-year-old Deangelo Kearney, who investigators say attacked his partner by punching her several times and pouring a multi-purpose cleaner over her head. Before police arrived, the victim managed to secure her handgun, and officers noted she had visible injuries while she gave her statement to investigators.
What the police say
According to police, the confrontation started inside the victim's apartment when Kearney allegedly grabbed her handgun and used it to threaten her. Investigators say he then struck her repeatedly and poured Fabuloso multi-purpose cleaner over her head. Officers documented noticeable knots on the woman’s forehead and took Kearney into custody at the scene, as reported by WREG.
Why the city is paying attention
The case lands at a time when the Memphis Police Department has been directing extra resources toward tracking and prosecuting what it describes as the city’s most violent domestic offenders. The initiative is intended to tighten coordination with federal prosecutors and to prioritize domestic cases that involve guns.
MPD officials say the presence of a firearm during a domestic dispute sharply increases the risk of serious injury, and cases with weapons often receive added investigative attention as part of the department’s broader push to tackle violent crime. As detailed by the Memphis Police Department.
Case status
Police say Kearney was booked on a charge of aggravated assault, “to wit: domestic assault.” A judge set his bond at $50,000, and he is scheduled to appear in the Memphis court on Tuesday. Investigators told reporters that the victim’s quick move to secure her firearm likely kept the situation from escalating even further before officers arrived, per WREG.
If you need help
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger, call 911. Victims looking for support can reach the Memphis Police Department Victim Services Unit at 901-636-3300 or contact Crime Stoppers at 901-528-CASH.
The Victim Services Unit offers crisis intervention, referrals, and guidance through the criminal justice process for people affected by violent crime. More information is available through the Memphis Police Department Victim Services.
