In the winter of 2022, the promising life of 25-year-old BarShay Wilson, a male nursing student at the University of Memphis, was tragically cut short just one day before he was set to graduate. On December 9, Wilson was at a friend's home when he stepped outside to take a phone call and was never seen alive again. His friend grew concerned when he didn't return and, after seeing his car was gone, attempted to track his location via a phone app, which showed him on the interstate before the
signal was lost.
A city-wide alert was issued for Wilson on December 12, the same day authorities made a grim discovery in Arlington, TN. Off Highway 70, near a water treatment plant, they found a man's body that had been shot multiple times; the victim was later identified as BarShay Wilson. His body was found about 75 yards away from a burning Chevrolet Camaro. Two days prior to the discovery of his body, Shelby County Sheriff's deputies had responded to a report of a fire in the same area and found the car ablaze with Wilson's ID nearby.
The investigation into Wilson's death led to the arrests of two suspects. In January 2023, 22-year-old Vincent Patterson was taken into custody and charged with first-degree murder, especially aggravated robbery, and tampering with evidence. Reports indicate that Patterson confessed to his involvement in the crime. He allegedly admitted to shooting Wilson with another individual, stealing his marijuana, setting the car on fire, and dumping his body.
Shortly after Patterson's arrest, a second suspect, 22-year-old Cassius Bryant, was also apprehended and faced the same charges. It is alleged that Bryant's 2015 Chevrolet Camaro was the vehicle found burning at the scene and that he participated in the shooting and the subsequent attempt to cover up the crime with Patterson. Vincent Patterson has since pleaded not guilty to the charges against him. Both men are awaiting trial in connection with the death of BarShay Wilson.
