On February 10, 2016, Willie Terrell Abston, a 36-year-old male from Memphis, Tennessee, was fatally shot during a robbery at the Bundles of Hair store located in the 5000 block of Millbranch Road. The assailants, dressed in black and wearing ski masks, entered the store, shot Mr. Abston, and stole several cases of hair products. Mr. Abston was pronounced dead at the scene.
Following the incident, law enforcement officials arrested two suspects in connection with the crime.
Julius Russell was apprehended in late February 2016 and charged with first-degree murder in the perpetration of a robbery and aggravated assault. According to an affidavit, Russell admitted to planning the robbery, which he described as a 'robbery gone wrong,' and anticipated profiting from the stolen merchandise.
In early March 2016, a second suspect, Louis Wakefield, 40, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder. Wakefield confessed to participating in the murder and serving as the getaway driver for himself and Russell. Both individuals were implicated in the theft of hair products during the fatal robbery.
The arrests of Russell and Wakefield provided significant developments in the investigation into the death of Mr. Abston. The case highlighted the dangers faced by employees in retail establishments and underscored the severity of crimes associated with robberies.
