In the early morning hours of December 15, 2023, what began as a regular night at a car wash in the Hickory Hill area of Memphis, Tennessee, ended in a burst of violence that claimed the life of 20-year-old La’Marrius Johnson. A Black male known affectionately as L.J. to his loved ones, he was a father to a two-year-old son and a newborn daughter, who was only two weeks old at the time of his death.
The incident unfolded at the Miracle-Perfection Hand Carwash and Detailing on Riverdale
Road, where a mass shooting targeted a group of individuals. In the wake of the gunfire, five men were struck. One man, aged 21, was pronounced dead at the scene. Johnson, along with the three other victims, was rushed to Regional One Hospital in critical condition. Despite medical efforts, La’Marrius Johnson succumbed to his injuries, becoming the second fatality of the tragic event.
In the aftermath, Johnson's mother, Anesha Mosley, publicly grieved the loss of her firstborn son, expressing her profound sorrow and bewilderment over the senseless act. She recalled her last moments with him, just hours before the shooting, when he had given her a hug and a kiss. The Memphis Police Department has since stated that their investigation suggests the shooting was a targeted attack and that the victims and suspects were known to one another.
Despite these initial findings, the investigation into the double homicide has yet to lead to any arrests. The identities of any suspects have not been publicly released, and the case remains unsolved. Authorities have appealed to the public for assistance, urging anyone with information to come forward as a family and community continue to mourn and await justice for La’Marrius Johnson and the other victims of the deadly shooting.
