In the early hours of Tuesday, March 31, 2026, the life of 33-year-old Eugene McNeal was tragically cut short on a sidewalk in South Memphis. The incident occurred shortly after 1:30 a.m. near the intersection of St. Paul and Boyd, where McNeal was found with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation into the shooting led Memphis police to identify a suspect through surveillance and cellphone footage from the area.
The video evidence showed a dark Nissan Altima pulling up to the house where McNeal was located. Several males exited the vehicle and approached McNeal on the sidewalk just before the fatal shots were fired. The car was traced to the grandfather of 29-year-old Okorie Deshun Thomas.
Days later, on April 7, authorities located and arrested Thomas as he was getting into the same Nissan Altima. He has since been charged with second-degree murder and tampering with evidence in connection with Eugene McNeal's death. During questioning, Thomas allegedly told investigators that he handed the gun to an individual he knew as "Lil Blood" after the shooting, and that several males fled the scene. It was also reported that Thomas had a prior conviction for aggravated assault in 2025.
