A Memphis man is facing felony charges after a motorcyclist was chased, shot, and then run over in the Castalia Heights neighborhood on Tuesday afternoon, according to police. The rider was found dead in the roadway at Gill Avenue and Wilson Street around 2:30 p.m., and officers quickly focused on a 34-year-old they say tried to take the victim’s motorcycle and removed a handgun from the victim before investigators arrived.
According to Action News 5, the Memphis Police Department booked 34-year-old Trent Antonio Collier overnight on two counts of tampering with evidence. Witnesses told officers that people in a silver vehicle chased the motorcyclist, opened fire, and then ran him over. MPD is treating the death as a criminal homicide.
Police account and arrest
“MPD reports that the driver and a single passenger abandoned their vehicle a short distance away and fled,” Action News 5 reported. Officers say they later spotted Collier trying to leave on the victim’s motorcycle and took him into custody at the scene.
So far, Collier is charged only with tampering with evidence, but investigators and prosecutors could decide on additional counts as the homicide case develops.
What the charges mean
Collier’s two counts of tampering with evidence are treated under Tennessee law as felonies. As outlined by TNDocket and court opinions interpreting T.C.A. § 39-16-503, tampering with or fabricating evidence is a Class C felony that can carry roughly three to fifteen years in prison, depending on the sentencing range and any prior criminal record.
Police appeal for tips
The Memphis Police Department is asking for the public’s help as homicide detectives continue to investigate. Anyone with information is urged to call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH or submit a tip online.
MPD maintains tip resources and local CrimeStoppers links on its website and is asking anyone who witnessed the incident or has video from the area to come forward. Authorities say the investigation is ongoing and the case remains under active review by homicide detectives, with further updates dependent on what investigators and prosecutors choose to release.
