In the crisp autumn air of a November evening in Memphis, Tennessee, 46-year-old Mia Jones was diligently working her shift as a delivery driver for Domino's Pizza. A mother of three, she was working a second job to ensure her family could enjoy the upcoming holidays. On the night of November 16, 2016, a delivery call sent her to a location near Airways Boulevard and Ketchum Road, an assignment that would tragically be her last.
It was there, in a calculated and cruel act, that her life was violently cut short.
The call for a pizza was a ruse, a lure set by three individuals with robbery on their minds. When Mia arrived at the specified address on Joy Lane, the resident informed her that they had not placed an order. As she drove away from the deceptive stop, her assailants were lying in wait. They ambushed her vehicle, attempting to force their way in. When they found the doors locked, their violent intentions escalated. As Mia tried to escape, one of the men opened fire, striking her multiple times. Despite being gravely wounded, she managed to drive a short distance before crashing her car into a guardrail. Emergency services arrived to find her unconscious, and she was rushed to a nearby hospital where she succumbed to her injuries about an hour later.
The senseless murder of the beloved mother and dedicated worker sparked outrage and a swift police investigation. Law enforcement quickly identified three suspects in connection with the fatal shooting. LeAnthony Primer, who was 24 at the time, 18-year-old Charles McClellan, and the shooter, 16-year-old Marquez Thompson, were all taken into custody. The trio was subsequently indicted on charges of first-degree murder, first-degree murder in the perpetration of attempted aggravated robbery, and attempted especially aggravated robbery.
In a resolution to the tragic case, all three men ultimately accepted responsibility for their roles in Mia Jones's death. They each pled guilty to the lesser charges of second-degree murder and attempted especially aggravated robbery. For his role as the triggerman, Marquez Thompson received a 40-year prison sentence. His accomplices, LeAnthony Primer and Charles McClellan, were each sentenced to 20 years behind bars. The conclusion of the legal proceedings brought a measure of justice to a grieving family and community, forever scarred by the loss of a woman remembered for her kindness and dedication to her children.
