In a tragic and violent series of events that unfolded in Memphis, Tennessee, 34-year-old Brandon Allen and his wife, Regina Allen, were found deceased in their apartment on February 22, 2018. Their bodies were discovered by firefighters who had responded to a blaze at their residence on Tall Oaks Circle. An investigation by law enforcement revealed that both Brandon and Regina had sustained fatal gunshot wounds prior to the fire being set.
The circumstances surrounding their deaths
pointed to a robbery that escalated into a double homicide and arson. Authorities were quick to identify a suspect, Aareon Berryman, who was 18 years old at the time of the incident. An officer who was in the vicinity of the apartment complex heard gunshots and shortly after, observed Berryman fleeing from the burning apartment unit. After a brief pursuit on foot, Berryman was apprehended by the officer.
Upon his arrest, police found Berryman in possession of an AR-15, a loaded handgun, and items that were believed to have been stolen from the Allens' apartment. When questioned by officers at the scene about the possibility of other individuals inside the burning residence, Berryman callously stated that he had left two people inside.
Further investigation and Berryman's own admission confirmed his involvement in the crimes. He confessed to killing both Brandon and Regina Allen, taking their property, and then intentionally setting their apartment on fire in an attempt to conceal the murders. Following his arrest, Aareon Berryman was charged with two counts of first-degree murder, especially aggravated robbery, aggravated arson, and various drug and weapons offenses. In April 2019, a grand jury indicted Berryman on these charges, moving the case towards trial.
