On a tragic day in Memphis, Tennessee, March 27, 2017, a community was shaken by the violent death of Saad Mherirat Abbadi. A 40-year-old male of Middle Eastern descent, Abbadi was a beloved husband, father, and a well-known tire shop owner in the area. The fatal incident unfolded outside of his own home in East Memphis, at the intersection of Mendenhall and Devonshire, where he was confronted in what authorities have described as an attempted robbery that turned deadly.
He was pronounced dead at the scene from a gunshot wound, leaving behind his wife and children.
The investigation into the senseless killing moved swiftly, and within a month, two suspects were taken into custody. In April 2017, the Memphis Police Department arrested 18-year-old Delarry Wallace and 20-year-old John Young in connection with the murder. An indictment handed down on April 25, 2017, alleged that the two young men had planned to rob Abbadi, believing that as a business owner, he would be carrying a significant amount of cash. Their alleged actions led to the fatal shooting that cut short a vibrant life.
Following their arrests, both Wallace and Young were charged with first-degree murder and attempted especially aggravated robbery. While Young was able to post bond and was released from custody, Wallace remained incarcerated at the Shelby County Jail with his bond set at $150,000. The two were scheduled to appear in court on July 10, 2017. The case highlighted the vulnerability of small business owners and left a profound void in the lives of Abbadi's family and the community he served. A memorial service was held on March 31, 2017, where friends and family gathered to mourn their immense loss and remember a man taken from them far too soon.
