Memphis, Tennessee – A manhunt came to an end on Sunday morning as authorities discovered the body of Mavis Christian Jr., the Tennessee man accused of carrying out multiple shootings in Memphis. The 52-year-old was found dead inside the white Chevrolet Malibu he had used to flee the scene of each shooting. Police believe Christian Jr. died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The string of shootings took place on Saturday, with Christian Jr. allegedly targeting five female victims at three different locations throughout the city. Tragically, four of the victims succumbed to their injuries, while the fifth remains in critical condition. Law enforcement agencies, the community, and the media teamed up in a collaborative effort to locate the suspect quickly, but the search ended tragically.
The first shooting occurred on Field Lark Drive, where two girls and a woman were found suffering from gunshot wounds. Sadly, one girl and the woman were declared dead at the scene, while the other girl was rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Approximately an hour later, another shooting was reported on Warrington Road, resulting in the death of a woman who had sustained an apparent gunshot wound. The third shooting, taking place on Howard Drive just before 9:30 p.m., claimed the life of another woman found with an apparent gunshot wound.
Police investigators have determined that all three shootings are connected, naming Christian Jr. as the prime suspect. The investigation has unveiled that the shootings stemmed from a domestic violence incident, with Christian Jr. being a known relative of the victims. Fleeing the scene of each crime in the same Chevrolet Malibu, he was considered armed and extremely dangerous throughout the manhunt.
Multiple local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies took part in the extensive search for Christian Jr., and the Memphis police expressed their gratitude for the cooperation and assistance provided by all involved.
As the investigation continues, authorities aim to gain further insight into the motive behind these horrific acts and seek justice for the victims.