In the summer of 2016, a violent encounter in Memphis tragically cut short the life of 26-year-old Marvelous Johnson. On the evening of June 17th, a shooting erupted that would leave Johnson dead and two other men wounded. The incident unfolded when police were initially called to the 500 block of Boston Street, near the Mid-South Fairgrounds, for a report of a shooting.
There they discovered one man who had been shot but was in non-critical condition.
The investigation quickly led officers around the corner to the 500 block of Buntyn Street, where they found Marvelous Johnson. He had sustained a gunshot wound to his head. Despite immediate medical attention, Johnson succumbed to his injuries while en route to the hospital. The subsequent investigation by homicide detectives painted a grim picture of gang-related violence.
According to a witness account detailed in an arrest affidavit, the shooting was the result of a confrontation between two rival gangs. Members of the Vice Lords were reportedly standing outside a residence on Boston Street when they spotted a car carrying individuals they identified as Gangster Disciples. Johnson was a passenger in this vehicle. The affidavit states that the Vice Lords recognized the occupants of the car from a previous altercation. When the car passed by a second time, members of the Vice Lords allegedly opened fire.
In the wake of the shooting, investigators from the gang unit were able to identify a suspect known as 'Lil Citi.' This individual was later identified as Markease Alexander, who was 23 years old at the time. Another witness informed detectives that they had seen Alexander firing shots at the car Johnson was in. Following his arrest, Alexander provided a written statement regarding his involvement in the homicide. He was subsequently charged with second-degree murder for the death of Marvelous Johnson and also faced charges of aggravated assault in connection with the two other men who were wounded in the incident.
