43-year-old mom arrested after shooting teen in Memphis fight
43-year-old mom arrested after shooting teen in Memphis fight
43-year-old mom arrested after shooting teen in Memphis fight.
A 43 year-old Memphis woman, Tequila Curry, has been arrested after a confrontation between her daughter and a 14-year-old girl escalated into gunfire. What began as a fight between two teenagers outside a Whitehaven community center quickly turned violent. When Curry saw her daughter losing the fight, she allegedly intervened. Now, she is facing multiple serious charges, including aggravated assault, following the shooting.
The incident, which took place on Thursday afternoon, has left the community shocked. Now, they grapple with the disturbing escalation from a simple fight to gun violence.
Mom Arrested After Fight Escalates to Gunfire
According to the Memphis Police Department, officers responded to the scene at the 4300 block of Graceland Drive after reports of gunfire. A fight between Curry’s daughter and a 14-year-old girl had taken place outside the community center. It stemmed from an argument that started two weeks prior.
Witnesses say the fight was intended to be one-on-one. However, when Curry saw her daughter on the losing end, she allegedly stepped in and retrieved a firearm from her car. The situation quickly escalated. As a result, leading to a frightening scene where shots were fired. Curry fled the scene. However she was arrested the following day after an investigation revealed her involvement.
Witnesses Describe Tense Scene Leading to the Shooting
Several witnesses who were present during the altercation have come forward to describe the chaos. Jamayah Leake, a friend of the victim, explained that Curry took action when she saw her daughter being overpowered. “I guess she saw her daughter losing, so she decided to jump in, and it escalated from there,” Leake said.
Mya Higgenbottom, another friend of the victim, recalled the terrifying moments when Curry fired the gun. “She went into the car, got the gun, and shot one time in the air, came back, got up close, and shot her [the victim] in the arm,” Higgenbottom said. Afterward, Curry reportedly fired another shot as she fled in a black Chevrolet Malibu.
The situation, which started as a physical altercation between teenagers, quickly spiraled out of control, leaving those present in shock at how the fight escalated into gun violence.
Teen Victim Recovering After Hospitalization
The 14-year-old victim realized she had been shot in the arm after hearing gunfire during the altercation. She was quickly transported to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital by the Memphis Fire Department. Thankfully, her injuries were not life-threatening. So, she is expected to make a full recovery.
Friends of the victim, including Leake and Higgenbottom, expressed their disbelief over how a simple fight could have escalated to the point where a firearm was involved. “Nobody should have got hurt from gun violence or none of that over a little fight,” Leake said. The emotional impact of the incident has been profound for the victim and those close to her.
Charges Brought Against Curry Following the Incident
After a thorough investigation, Memphis police arrested Tequila Curry and charged her with a range of serious offenses. These include two counts of aggravated assault, reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon, and discharging a firearm from within a motor vehicle. Additionally, Curry, a convicted felon, faces charges for possession of a handgun. This significantly increases the severity of her case.
Curry’s court appearance is pending, and the police are continuing their investigation into the circumstances surrounding the shooting. Authorities have emphasized that this type of behavior—escalating a fight between teenagers into a dangerous and violent situation—is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
Background on Gun Violence in Memphis
Gun violence is a persistent issue in Memphis, particularly in public spaces and among young people. The city has seen a rise in violent crimes involving firearms. Many incidents stem from personal conflicts that escalate into deadly confrontations. In 2022, Memphis was ranked among the cities with the highest gun-related deaths per capita in the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Community centers, like the one in Whitehaven where the shooting occurred, are intended to be safe spaces for recreation and gathering. However they are not immune to the violence that plagues urban areas. In many cases, disputes that might have been resolved through dialogue or mediation end tragically when firearms are introduced into the equation.
Authorities and community leaders have long called for increased gun safety measures and stronger conflict resolution initiatives. In Memphis, various programs aimed at reducing youth violence have been implemented. However incidents like the one involving Tequila Curry highlight the ongoing challenges the city faces in curbing gun violence.
The city’s law enforcement continues to advocate for stricter penalties for gun-related crimes and greater efforts to prevent access to firearms by those with criminal records, like Curry. Such measures, they hope, will reduce the prevalence of shootings and help restore a sense of safety in public spaces.
Community Reacts to Violence Outside Whitehaven Center
The shooting has left the Whitehaven community disturbed and frustrated by the growing problem of gun violence, especially when it involves young people. What was supposed to be a contained altercation between two teenagers quickly escalated when adults became involved. Thus, leading to the tragic outcome of a teenager being shot.
Cheryl Cobb, a bystander who tried to intervene, expressed her shock at how quickly the situation spiraled. “I walked up to the man and I said, please don’t let the kids fight,” Cobb explained. Unfortunately, her plea for de-escalation went unheeded, and the situation turned into an incident of gun violence.
Residents of the Whitehaven neighborhood are calling for stronger measures to prevent gun violence and ensure that disputes between young people do not end in serious injury or death. This incident has sparked discussions about the responsibilities of adults in these situations and the importance of resolving conflicts without resorting to violence.
Conclusion
Tequila Curry’s arrest following the shooting of a 14-year-old girl has left the Memphis community reflecting on the consequences of escalating violence. While the victim is expected to recover, the emotional scars will likely remain for her, her friends, and her family.
As Curry faces numerous serious charges, including aggravated assault and illegal firearm possession, the incident serves as a reminder of the dangers of gun violence, particularly when adults intervene in teenage disputes. The community continues to grapple with the aftermath of the event, hoping to prevent future tragedies of this nature.
Source: WREG