In the early evening of Sunday, May 19, 2013, gunfire shattered the peace at the Woodbridge Crossing apartments in Memphis, Tennessee, leaving a scene of chaos and tragedy. When the shooting subsided, 23-year-old Illya Benson, a male, was among the victims. The incident unfolded near a common area of the apartment complex, close to mailboxes and a basketball court, a space typically filled with the sounds of community life.
Responding to the call just after 6:45 p.m., police discovered a grim scene in the 2300 block of Ketchum Road. Three individuals, including 18-year-old Brandon Chaffin, had been shot and were rushed to The MED by ambulance. A fourth victim, Illya Benson, was transported to the same hospital in a private vehicle. Tragically, both Benson and Chaffin succumbed to their injuries. Benson was pronounced dead upon his arrival at the hospital. Two other victims, aged 14 and 28, were also injured in the mass shooting but survived.
In the years following the deadly shooting, the case has grown cold, with no publicly available information about any arrests being made or suspects being identified. The motive for the shooting remains unclear, and the individuals responsible for the deaths of Illya Benson and Brandon Chaffin have not been brought to justice. The loss of the two young men left a lasting impact on their families and the Memphis community, a painful reminder of a violent evening that ended two lives and forever altered others.
