An 18-year-old is facing serious charges after a man was found shot to death in a Frayser field earlier this week, according to Memphis police. Officers responded to a man-down call on Monday and discovered the victim in the field, and investigators say surveillance video and other evidence later pointed them toward a suspect.
Video Trail And Search Warrant Put Teen At Scene, Investigators Say
According to FOX13 Memphis, detectives reviewed footage that shows a man walking with the victim shortly before the shooting and identified 18-year-old Roy Bills as the person in that video. Police say they served a search warrant on July 23 at a home in the 1700 block of Carlye Drive, collected additional evidence there, and then took Bills into custody. Bills was charged with first-degree murder in the perpetration of a robbery and with employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, the station reports.
How Police Say The Frayser Case Came Together
Memphis police say officers were originally dispatched to the 3700 block of North Watkins on Monday on a man-down call and found the victim in a nearby lot. Investigators then used surveillance footage to narrow potential suspects and tracked Bills to the Carlye Drive address, where they executed the warrant and seized items they say connect him to the homicide.
What The Tennessee Charges Could Mean In Court
Bills faces a first-degree murder charge that Tennessee prosecutors can pursue when a death occurs during certain felonies, including robbery. The indictment also includes a count for employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony. The firearm statute (Tenn. Code §39-17-1324) and the first-degree murder statute (Tenn. Code §39-13-202) spell out those offenses and the penalties in state law.
Detectives Still Seeking Tips As Case Moves Ahead
Officials say Bills has been booked and that the investigation is ongoing. Detectives have asked anyone with information to contact Memphis Police or CrimeStoppers. Additional details were reported by FOX13 Memphis.
Frayser Neighbors Rattled By String Of Shootings
The Frayser neighborhood has seen multiple shootings this year, according to local coverage, and police have repeatedly urged residents to share any information that could help solve open cases. Local outlets including Action News 5 have documented several recent incidents in the area.
