Anquan Gillian, a 30-year-old man from Memphis, Tennessee, known for his warmth and thoughtfulness, had just celebrated his birthday two days before his life was tragically cut short. His family and friends remember him as a cherished son, father, and sibling whose memory lives on in the hearts of those who knew and loved him.
The morning of September 21, 2026, brought devastating news to Anquan's mother, Kimberly Jamerson.
She received a phone call informing her that her son had been shot multiple times somewhere on Cannon Street in South Memphis. Unsure of his exact location, Ms. Jamerson went to the area herself, determined to find him. With the help of people in the neighborhood, her search led her to a vacant, red brick house in the 1100 block of Cannon Street. Realizing her son was inside, but not wanting to disturb a potential crime scene, she made the difficult decision to call the police rather than enter.
When officers from the Memphis Police Department arrived, they entered the vacant property and found Anquan Gillian inside. He had sustained multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced deceased at the scene. The discovery confirmed his mother's worst fears, turning a time that should have been filled with birthday celebrations into one of profound grief and loss. The area, part of the city's historic landscape, became the backdrop for a family's tragedy.
The night after Anquan's death, his family and friends gathered on Cannon Street, in front of the house where he was found, to honor his memory. His father, siblings, and other loved ones lit candles and released balloons, remembering the man whose life had been so abruptly taken from them. It was a somber gathering, marked by the pain of a future stolen and the search for answers in a senseless act of violence.
The Memphis Police Department's homicide investigators immediately began working the case. Their investigation progressed over the following weeks, leading them to identify a suspect. On October 3, 2026, approximately a week and a half after the shooting, police arrested 35-year-old Christopher Deshun Banks. The arrest was part of a successful 24-hour period for the department, which announced an 89% homicide clearance rate following Banks's and another suspect's apprehension in separate cases.
Christopher Deshun Banks was charged with first-degree murder, possession of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, and aggravated robbery in connection with Anquan Gillian's death. Following his arrest, the case entered the litigation phase in the Shelby County court system. As of the latest reports in early October 2026, the legal proceedings against Banks were underway.
While an arrest has been made, the family and community continue to mourn the loss of Anquan Gillian. A GoFundMe page was organized by his mother to help with funeral costs. His official obituary noted that he would be deeply missed and that the influence he had on the lives around him would remain. The case stands as a stark reminder of the impact of gun violence on families and communities. Anyone with information regarding the shooting was previously asked to contact CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH.
