In the Parkway Village area of Memphis, Tennessee, on the evening of February 7, 2015, Essic Woodard, a 47-year-old Black male, was fatally shot in an act of violence where he was an unintended victim. Woodard was in the 4800 block of Winchester Circle when gunfire erupted. He was found on the ground with a gunshot wound to his chest and was transported to the Regional Medical Center, where he succumbed to multiple gunshot wounds.
The investigation into the shooting revealed that the
incident stemmed from a dispute that did not involve Woodard. A group of individuals who were on their way to a party at a neighboring residence were the intended targets. Their vehicles were fired upon by unknown assailants. During this exchange of gunfire, Woodard was struck. A 22-year-old woman also sustained a non-fatal gunshot wound to her leg. The suspects were reported to have fled the scene in a red Dodge Magnum.
Two months after the shooting, on April 6, 2015, Memphis police arrested 19-year-old Aaron Harper in connection with Woodard's death. Harper was identified by witnesses in a photo lineup. He was subsequently charged with first-degree murder for the death of Essic Woodard. In addition to the murder charge, Harper faced five counts of attempted first-degree murder for allegedly firing at the other individuals in their vehicles. Information regarding the outcome of the legal proceedings against Aaron Harper is not available in the provided online sources.
