In the summer of 2021, a dispute simmering on social media tragically spilled onto the streets of a South Memphis neighborhood, claiming the life of a beloved grandmother. On July 24, 2021, 64-year-old Clara Wismon, a woman who had dedicated her life to her children and grandchildren, was fatally shot outside her townhome near South Lauderdale Street and St. Paul Avenue. Her death, which her daughter would later describe as 'very senseless,' was the devastating outcome of a conflict that did not even involve her directly.
The violence erupted from an online argument between Wismon's 13-year-old granddaughter and the sister of the alleged shooter. According to prosecutors, on that fateful day, a white car pulled up to the residence, and a woman emerged, firing a barrage of bullets into a crowd of people that included Clara Wismon. The gunfire was indiscriminate, with one witness stating it was as if the shooter 'just let the clip go' until all the bullets were gone. Clara Wismon, a cherished mother and grandmother who was known for always cooking for or caring for someone, was struck and killed. Her family firmly believes she was not the intended target of the violent outburst.
Two days after the tragic shooting, an arrest was made in connection with the death of Clara Wismon. A woman surrendered to the U.S. Marshals task force, bringing a swift, initial development to the investigation. The suspect was later identified as Shikina Pony, a 24-year-old resident of West Memphis. Following the investigation, she was indicted on serious charges that reflected the gravity of the incident.
In December 2021, a grand jury indicted Shikina Pony on charges of second-degree murder for the death of Clara Wismon and attempted second-degree murder for endangering the lives of others in the crowd that day. Despite the severity of the charges, Pony was later released on bond. The family of Clara Wismon, still grappling with the profound loss of their matriarch, expressed their hope that the person responsible would receive the maximum possible sentence for a crime that took not only a mother but also a best friend.
