In the summer of 2024, the life of 44-year-old Benjamin Murrell, a male from Memphis, Tennessee, was cut short by a burst of gunfire on the iconic Beale Street. On the night of Saturday, July 20th, just before 11 p.m., Murrell was shot at the intersection of 4th Street and Beale Street. He was rushed to Regional One Hospital in critical condition but ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
The shooting occurred in the very same area where Murrell had a run-in with the law just days earlier.
A week prior to his death, on Sunday, July 14th, Murrell had been arrested as part of a Memphis Police Department operation dubbed 'Operation Saturday Night Live.' Officers had responded to a call about a suspicious person, and upon spotting Murrell, they reported that he attempted to hide and then fled, tossing a handgun onto the roof of a nearby church. After his apprehension, police stated they found marijuana, methamphetamine, and cocaine in his possession. The firearm was recovered and determined to be stolen.
Following this arrest, Murrell was released from jail on Wednesday, July 17th, after posting a $100,000 bond. His next scheduled court appearance was set for August 8th. Tragically, he would not make that date. His fatal shooting just three days after his release has left many questions unanswered.
As of now, the Memphis Police Department has not publicly identified any suspects or made any arrests in connection with the shooting death of Benjamin Murrell. The investigation into his murder is ongoing, and authorities have not released any information regarding a potential motive or the circumstances that led to the shooting. The incident was noted by the city's mayor, who stated that it occurred outside the main security perimeter of the Beale Street entertainment district.
