A dispute between friends on a spring evening in Memphis, Tennessee, ultimately led to the death of 44-year-old Antonio Hines. The incident, which began as a scuffle, tragically escalated, leaving one man dead and another facing a murder charge.
On the evening of April 26, 2020, Antonio Hines, a male resident of Memphis, was involved in a physical altercation with his friend, 47-year-old LaJuan Britton, who also went by the name LaJuan Craft. The fight took place in the 500 block of Gilleas Road in the southwest area of the city. At one point during the confrontation, Britton reportedly left the scene, telling Hines that he would return.
Approximately 15 minutes later, Britton made good on his word and the fight between the two men resumed. This time, however, the altercation took a fatal turn when Britton allegedly pulled out a gun and shot Hines in the stomach and hip. Emergency services were called, and Hines was transported to a local hospital. Before undergoing surgery for his injuries, he was able to identify LaJuan Britton as the person who had shot him.
Despite medical efforts, Antonio Hines succumbed to the complications from his gunshot wounds four days later, on April 30, 2020. Following an investigation into the shooting, the case was presented to a grand jury. In March of 2021, LaJuan Britton was indicted on charges of first-degree murder and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. He was subsequently taken into custody and held at the Shelby County Jail. The case was assigned to the District Attorney's Special Prosecution Unit, which is known for seeking maximum sentences for repeat felony offenders.
