In the early hours of September 7, 2022, Dewayne Tunstall, a 24-year-old African American male, was with friends at a home in Memphis, Tennessee. Just before 1 a.m., a man they were acquainted with, later identified as 19-year-old Ezekiel Kelly, arrived unannounced. According to witnesses, Kelly pulled Tunstall aside in the driveway and, during their conversation, drew a handgun and fired multiple shots, striking Tunstall in the head. The gunfire also struck the house.
Tunstall tragically became the first victim in a violent shooting spree that would terrorize the city for hours.
A close friend of Tunstall's, Marcus Cash, was inside the house when he heard the gunshots. He ran outside to find his friend, with whom he was planning to open a barbecue food truck that same week, lying in the driveway. Overcome with grief, Cash lay down beside Tunstall, his blood covering him, and refused to leave his side. Tunstall was a father to a young daughter and had another child on the way. He was also known in his community as a mentor to the youth.
Ezekiel Kelly's rampage continued throughout Memphis, resulting in the deaths of two other individuals, Richard Clark and Allison Parker, and injuring three more. The city was placed on lockdown as law enforcement launched a massive manhunt for Kelly, who was reportedly livestreaming some of the attacks on social media. The hours-long ordeal finally came to an end when Kelly was apprehended by police.
Following his arrest, Ezekiel Kelly was charged with multiple counts, including first-degree murder for the death of Dewayne Tunstall. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges. In a notable development, Kelly chose to represent himself in court, a request that was granted by a judge who found him competent to do so. Prosecutors have stated their intention to seek the death penalty if Kelly is convicted of first-degree murder. The trial is scheduled to begin on July 14, 2025.
