On a tragic afternoon in Memphis, Tennessee, the life of 27-year-old Teonka Gunn, a female, was brought to a violent and premature end. On March 1, 2022, at the Saint Court Apartments on North Watkins, a dispute rooted in a past relationship escalated into a fatal shooting. Ms. Gunn had just been dropped off by her cousin when her ex-boyfriend, Travis Cohens, appeared and opened fire on the vehicle.
The cousin and his minor son, who was also in the car, were targeted but managed to escape unharmed.
As her cousin sped away from the initial volley of shots, Cohens pursued Teonka Gunn. Witnesses later recounted seeing him chase her down and shoot her multiple times at close range. Memphis Police officers responded to reports of the shooting around 4 p.m. and discovered Ms. Gunn lying outside her apartment with several gunshot wounds. Despite immediate medical attention, she was pronounced dead at the scene. The brutal nature of the attack sent shockwaves through the community and left a family grieving a devastating loss.
In the aftermath of the shooting, Travis Cohens fled Tennessee, sparking a manhunt that concluded months later. On June 10, 2022, U.S. Marshals as part of 'Operation North Star' located and apprehended him in Chula Vista, California. He was extradited back to Shelby County to face justice. In October 2024, Cohens stood trial for the murder of his ex-girlfriend. Over four days, a jury heard testimony from fourteen witnesses for the prosecution, painting a clear picture of the events that led to Gunn's death.
The jury found Travis Cohens guilty of first-degree murder, attempted murder, reckless endangerment, and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon. Subsequently, he was sentenced to life in prison for the murder, with an additional 27 years to be served consecutively for the other charges, amounting to a total of 78 years of imprisonment. The conviction and lengthy sentence brought a measure of closure to the family of Teonka Gunn, as the man responsible for her death was held accountable for his actions.
