In the winter of 2021, the city of Memphis was shaken by the sudden and violent death of 60-year-old Juanita Washington. A beloved figure in her community, Washington was the head administrator at the L.Y.E. Dance Academy, where she was known for her warm and welcoming presence. On the afternoon of December 29th, she was sitting in her car in the parking lot of a Walgreens on South Perkins Road when her life was tragically cut short.
According to Memphis police, security footage from the
scene captured a white Chevrolet van with 'A&G Lawncare' graphics pulling up alongside Washington's vehicle around 1:00 p.m. A man exited the van, fired multiple shots into her car, and then fled the scene. Washington was rushed to a nearby hospital but ultimately succumbed to her injuries. The distinct van was located by law enforcement later that same evening, providing a crucial piece of evidence in the burgeoning homicide investigation.
The senseless act of violence sent ripples of grief through the community, particularly among the students and families of the L.Y.E. Dance Academy. Tributes poured in for 'Auntie Juanita,' with her desk at the academy being adorned with flowers, candles, and cards in her memory. She was remembered as a staple of the community, a giving and joyful person who had a profound impact on the lives of the young people she worked with.
In the weeks that followed, the investigation into Juanita Washington's murder led authorities to identify a suspect: 50-year-old Gregory Morton. A warrant for his arrest on charges of first-degree murder was issued in January 2022. Morton was also wanted for a federal probation violation and other weapons charges. The U.S. Marshals Service offered a reward for information leading to his capture, considering him to be armed and dangerous.
The manhunt for Morton concluded on March 25, 2022, when he was apprehended in Las Vegas by the U.S. Marshals Pacific Southwest Regional Task Force. Following his arrest, Morton pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of second-degree murder. He was subsequently sentenced to 25 years in prison for the killing of Juanita Washington, bringing a measure of closure to a case that had deeply affected the Memphis community.
