Federal marshals and Memphis police tracked down a 22-year-old man in South Memphis this week on warrants tied to a Feb. 28 shooting in Castalia Heights that left two bystanders badly hurt. Investigators say the arrest follows weeks of work on a case that began when gunfire erupted in the middle of the day, and innocent drivers ended up caught in the line of fire.
Arrest and Charges
The U.S. Marshals Service said members of the Memphis Safe Task Force arrested 22-year-old Marquis Dobbs at a known residence after a request from the Memphis Police Department's Violent Crimes and Gang Unit. According to the marshals, officers knocked and announced before entry, and Dobbs tried to jump out a back window to get away, but was taken into custody immediately.
Authorities say Dobbs is facing two counts of criminal attempt second-degree murder, two counts of employing a firearm with intent to commit a felony, and one count of aggravated assault. Officials say those warrants are tied to the late February shooting that put two bystanders in the hospital.
The Castalia Street Shooting
Memphis Police Department records state the shooting happened around 1:22 p.m. on Feb. 28 in the 1700 block of Castalia Street in the Castalia Heights neighborhood, according to the Memphis Police Department. Officers arrived to find a man and a woman who had both been hit by gunfire. Police say both victims were taken to the hospital in critical condition, and the woman was later upgraded to non-critical status.
Investigators say the victims were driving through the area when they passed between two groups that were exchanging gunfire. Primary suspects were described as three men armed with rifles, while other shooters with pistols reportedly ran off in another direction.
Custody and Court Status
The marshals' statement lists the felony charges connected to Dobbs, and local reporting by WREG reports that he is being held at the Shelby County Jail on a $160,000 bond. WREG also notes that he is scheduled to appear in court in the coming days.
Authorities say the warrants cover counts related to the February shooting, along with an aggravated assault warrant from the same date. Charging documents and other formal filings are expected to be added to the Shelby County court docket as the case moves ahead.
Investigation Continues
Investigators say detectives are still working to identify and find additional suspects in the Castalia Heights shooting and are following up on witness statements and video evidence. The Memphis Police Department is asking anyone with information to call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH, according to the department's incident summary.
The U.S. Marshals Service notes that the Memphis Safe Task Force, a multi-agency group formed last year to track violent fugitives and clear outstanding warrants, carried out the warrant service in this case.
Police have not said the arrested suspect acted alone, and they have indicated that more arrests are possible as new leads come in. This story will be updated as court dates are set and charging documents become publicly available.
