On a summer day in Memphis, Tennessee, the life of 26-year-old Terrence Allen, a Black/African American male, was tragically cut short. On June 5, 2021, Allen fell victim to fatal gun violence in an act that federal authorities would later describe as a calculated move within the hierarchy of a notorious street gang. The incident that led to Allen's death was not a random act of violence, but rather a premeditated murder, according to a later federal indictment.
In the aftermath of the
shooting, a federal grand jury in Memphis brought charges against three men in connection with Allen's death. The superseding indictment, announced in February 2024, named Edward Earl Allen Jr., 40, also known as "E-Money," of San Bernardino, California; Vincent Grant, 40, known as "V Slash," of Memphis; and Deandre Rodgers, 27, also known as "Dre," of Memphis, as the individuals responsible for the death of Terrence Allen.
The indictment alleges that the three men, all purported members of the Unknown Vice Lords –Ghost Mob, a criminal street gang, used and discharged a firearm to carry out the premeditated killing. The motive, as outlined by the Justice Department, was for the purpose of "gaining entrance to and maintaining and increasing their positions within the UVL–Ghost Mob." This act was part of a larger pattern of violent criminal activity attributed to the gang, which has operations in Memphis and throughout the Western District of Tennessee.
The charges against Edward Earl Allen Jr., Vincent Grant, and Deandre Rodgers are severe, with each facing a charge of causing death by use of a firearm during and in relation to a crime of violence. If convicted, they could face a maximum penalty of life in prison or potentially the death penalty. The investigation into Terrence Allen's murder was a collaborative effort involving the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, and the Memphis Police Department, with assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service. The prosecution of this case is being handled by the Criminal Division's Violent Crime and Racketeering Section and the U.S. Attorney's Office for the Western District of Tennessee.
