In the summer of 2019, a young man's life was tragically cut short in Memphis, Tennessee, during a meeting that turned deadly. Keniya Cornelious Johnson, a 23-year-old Black/African American male, was fatally shot on July 29, 2019. Known for his passion for music and dreams of becoming an entrepreneur, Johnson was a former student of Central High School and an active member of the Pillar of Faith Evangelical Church.
The events leading to Johnson's death unfolded during what was supposed
to be a prearranged gun transaction. Johnson and a 26-year-old companion were in a car in the 2700 block of North Trezevant Street in Frayser for a meeting with another man. When Johnson refused to sell a gun to the individual, the situation escalated violently. The man opened fire, striking both Johnson and his companion multiple times.
Despite being wounded, Johnson's companion managed to drive them to a nearby fire station on Whitney Avenue to seek help. Tragically, Keniya Johnson did not survive his injuries. The investigation into the shooting led to the swift arrest of a suspect.
Jayten Galloway, who was 21 at the time, was taken into custody shortly after the incident. In April 2021, a grand jury indicted Galloway on multiple felony charges, including first-degree murder for the death of Keniya Johnson, attempted first-degree murder for the shooting of his companion, and employment of a firearm in the commission of a dangerous felony. Following the indictment, he was held in the Shelby County Jail as the legal proceedings against him commenced.
