In the late afternoon of Sunday, October 29, 2023, Alfonzo Turner, a 30-year-old male, was fatally wounded in the parking lot of his own establishment in Memphis, Tennessee. The shooting occurred at 'Tha Table,' Turner's restaurant located in the 3200 block of Elvis Presley Boulevard in the Whitehaven area. Turner was transported to a local hospital in critical condition but ultimately succumbed to his injuries.
A second man, identified as 31-year-old Tedarius Day, was also shot and was pronounced dead at the scene, found inside a car.
Alfonzo Turner was a new father to a three-month-old baby girl and was engaged to be married. His family described him as a positive, unique, and resilient man who was full of love and had ambitious dreams for his recently opened restaurant. He envisioned his business as a beacon of positivity for the Memphis community. The tragic event left his family, friends, and the local community stunned and heartbroken. In the wake of his death, his family announced plans to honor his passion for cooking and community by launching a food truck in his memory.
The investigation into the double homicide led to the arrest of two suspects on October 31, 2023. Darion Banks and Michael Shaffer were taken into custody following a police chase involving a stolen vehicle. According to statements made to the police, Banks and Shaffer were allegedly breaking into cars in the restaurant's parking lot when someone from the restaurant fired at them. Banks claimed they left, then returned to the scene and fired at the restaurant.
Following their arrests, both men faced charges. Darion Banks was indicted on multiple counts, including first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, reckless endangerment, and theft. Michael Shaffer was indicted on charges of evading arrest and car theft. The Shelby County District Attorney's Office later clarified that an initial report of a murder charge against Shaffer was a clerical error. The case against the two men accused in connection with Turner's death is awaiting trial.
