For three decades, the corner of Homer Street and Wayne Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee, was John 'Red' Robert Materna's spot. The 76-year-old man, known affectionately to his community as 'The Watermelon Man,' would sell fruit from the back of his truck, a friendly and familiar face to all who passed by. But on the morning of May 15, 2023, this routine scene turned tragic when Materna was shot in the stomach during a robbery.
He was taken to the hospital in critical condition and, after fighting for his life for two weeks, succumbed to his injuries on May 29, 2023.
The investigation into the shooting led Memphis Police to a 15-year-old suspect, Demarion Tackett. It was reported that two individuals pulled up in a silver Infiniti and got out to rob Materna. During the course of the robbery, Materna was shot. He was armed and fired back at his assailants, but it is unknown if they were hit. Tackett was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, murder in the perpetration of a felony especially aggravated robbery, and employment of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony.
The legal proceedings that followed saw the decision to try Tackett as an adult. He was initially released on a $100,000 bond in March 2024. However, in June of that year, he failed to appear for a court hearing, prompting a manhunt. The U.S. Marshals Service, in conjunction with the Memphis Police Department, located and apprehended Tackett in July 2024. He was found at a residence and surrendered without incident. Following his recapture, he was indicted on charges of first-degree murder and attempted robbery and is being held without bond until his trial. The community mourned the loss of Materna, gathering for a candlelight vigil and creating a memorial at the corner where he had been a fixture for so long.
