In a North Memphis neighborhood on a summer evening, a dispute between neighbors escalated into a fatal encounter for James Terry Dowdy. On July 2, 2020, the 68-year-old man was drawn out of his home on Lake Grove Street by the sight of his car engulfed in flames in his driveway. This act of arson was a deliberate lure, setting the stage for the violence that would follow.
As Dowdy went to inspect the fire, he was approached by his neighbor, L.A. 'Popeye' Parrish.
Witnesses reported seeing the 53-year-old Parrish walking toward Dowdy's home with a pistol in one hand and a gas can in the other. After setting the car ablaze, Parrish allegedly waited for Dowdy to emerge before shooting him multiple times. First responders found Dowdy suffering from his injuries and he was pronounced dead at the scene.
Investigators described the incident as the culmination of an ongoing dispute between the two men. Parrish was apprehended a short time later at a nearby residence and taken into custody. He was subsequently indicted on charges of first-degree murder, setting fire to personal property, and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. The case was designated to be handled by the District Attorney's Special Prosecution Unit, which focuses on seeking maximum sentences for repeat felony offenders.
