In the early hours of March 12, 2025, the city of Memphis was shaken by the violent death of Pastor Ricky Floyd, a 58-year-old male who was a prominent figure in his community. The incident that claimed his life unfolded just before 1:30 a.m. outside Momma's Bar on Kentucky Avenue. Pastor Floyd, who led the Pursuit of God Church in Frayser, was a known advocate for reducing youth violence and was the president of a mentoring group for boys called The Husband Institute.
His sudden and tragic death sent ripples of shock and grief throughout the city.
The events leading to the fatal shooting began with a verbal argument inside the bar involving Pastor Floyd and a woman identified as 42-year-old Samantha Marion. According to witnesses, the disagreement continued outside. Surveillance video from the scene captured parts of the escalating confrontation. The footage reportedly shows Floyd throwing Marion's phone to the ground and tossing a beer can before starting to drive away. Marion is then seen walking into the road, apparently recording his vehicle with her phone. In response, Floyd stopped his car, got out, and walked back towards her. A witness intervened, creating some distance between the two. As Floyd was walking backward away from Marion, she allegedly moved towards him, and he fell to the ground, having sustained a single gunshot wound from which he did not get back up. A black handgun was later found in plain view inside Marion's vehicle.
Following the incident, Samantha Marion was arrested and initially charged with voluntary manslaughter. She was later released after posting a $100,000 bond. As the legal process moved forward, a grand jury indicted Marion on upgraded charges of second-degree murder, employment of a firearm with the intent to commit a felony, and reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon. Marion's attorneys have claimed that she acted in self-defense. The case has drawn significant public attention, prompting the recusal of the District Attorney's office due to a prior professional relationship with Pastor Floyd, leading to the appointment of a pro tem prosecutor to handle the case.
The community mourned the loss of Pastor Floyd, remembering him as a dedicated leader, mentor, and servant to the city. His funeral services were held on March 28, 2025, drawing a large attendance of family, friends, and community members who came to pay their respects to a man who had dedicated his life to uplifting others. He is survived by his wife, three adult children, a daughter-in-law, and two granddaughters. The case against Samantha Marion is ongoing as the legal system works to bring about justice for the death of Pastor Ricky Floyd.
