In a tragic turn of events on August 2, 2019, Jason Phoummavong, a 25-year-old Asian male, was fatally shot in Memphis, Tennessee. The incident unfolded at the Save-a-Stop convenience store located on Kimball Avenue. An argument that began outside the store escalated dramatically when one of the men involved ran inside, attempting to hide behind the counter.
The other individual, later identified as Antonio Whitmore Jr., pursued him into the establishment. Clad in a neon vest and uniform pants, Whitmore, who was armed, reportedly stood on the counter and opened fire. Phoummavong was tragically struck in the head by the gunfire and died at the scene. The owner of the store, who was also behind the counter at the time, sustained a gunshot wound to his arm but survived.
In a crucial piece of evidence, the gunman dropped his FedEx photo ID badge in the parking lot as he fled the scene. This, along with surveillance footage from the store and statements from witnesses, quickly led investigators to identify Antonio Whitmore Jr. as the primary suspect. Two days after the shooting, Whitmore turned himself in to the police. While he admitted to the shooting, he did not provide a motive for his actions. Following the incident, FedEx terminated Whitmore's employment and cooperated fully with the ongoing law enforcement investigation.
In June 2020, a grand jury indicted Antonio Whitmore Jr., who was 24 at the time, on charges of first-degree murder and aggravated assault for his role in the death of Jason Phoummavong and the injury to the store owner. The community mourned the loss of Phoummavong, who was remembered fondly by his friends and family. A GoFundMe campaign was established to assist his sister with funeral and cremation expenses.
