In the winter of 2021, a night out in Memphis, Tennessee, ended in tragedy for 32-year-old Michael Birdsong Jr. On the evening of Saturday, February 20th, an altercation occurred at a Walgreens store located at the intersection of Poplar and Cleveland. The incident involved Birdsong and a security guard working at the establishment.
According to police reports, the security guard, identified as Devin Mitchell, instructed Birdsong to leave the property.
An argument ensued, during which Birdsong allegedly put his hands in the waistband of his pants. Mitchell later told investigators he believed Birdsong was reaching for a weapon, although he admitted to not seeing a firearm. In that moment, Mitchell discharged his weapon, striking Birdsong in the face. Emergency services were called, and Birdsong was transported to a nearby hospital, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
Following the shooting, Devin Mitchell was arrested and charged with second-degree murder in connection with Michael Birdsong Jr.'s death. His bond was set at $250,000. However, the legal proceedings took a significant turn in the weeks that followed. After a review of the case, the Shelby County District Attorney's Office announced on March 5, 2021, that the charges against Mitchell were being dropped. The prosecutor's office concluded that the shooting was justified, and as a result, the case against the security guard was dismissed.
