Latest news with #WREG
International Business Times
a day ago
- International Business Times
Memphis Man Fatally Shoots Girlfriend, Claims He Fired After Mistaking Her for a 'Man with Dreads'
A Memphis man charged with fatally shooting his girlfriend is claiming he pulled the trigger after mistaking her as a "male with dreads" at his front door. Jyrah Smith, 23, was found with a gunshot wound to the head right outside the front door of her 27-year-old boyfriend, Deangelo Mitchell's, apartment on May 23. Mitchell Had Allegedly Previously Threatened to Kill Smith As reported by WREG, Mitchell told police he shot Smith in a case of mistaken identity. Police responded to reports of shots ringing out following an argument on the second floor of one of the apartment buildings in the 400 block of East Georgia Avenue. Smith's family members told police that Mitchell had previously threatened to kill her and her three children — a 1-year-old, a 3-year-old, and a 6-year-old. Mitchell Fled from the Scene After the Shooting, Did Not Attempt to Aid Smith or Call an Ambulance Police said Mitchell threw the shotgun away after the shooting and did not attempt to aid Smith or call an ambulance. A spent shotgun shell was located inside Mitchell's apartment, but he was nowhere to be found. Police say Mitchell turned himself in at around 1:20 p.m. that same day. He told officers that he was asleep and woke up to male and female voices outside his apartment. He said they were knocking on his door, so he armed himself with a shotgun. When Mitchell opened the door, he shot who he claims he thought was a man with dreads. Mitchell said he was a few feet away from the person he shot and didn't recognize the person as Smith. Mitchell has been charged with second-degree murder in connection with Smith's shooting death. Mitchell Has a History of Domestic Violence Records show Mitchell has a history of domestic violence. He was arrested in August 2024 after he allegedly punched the mother of his child in the face repeatedly while she was working at a hotel. In November 2019, Mitchell was arrested and charged with assault after he allegedly kicked and punched a woman in the head multiple times. In January 2020, he was charged with violating bond agreements in connection with the previous incident. He was allegedly caught banging on his ex-girlfriend's window. Mitchell is scheduled for a preliminary hearing on June 9. Smith's family has set up a GoFundMe as they try to raise money for her funeral costs.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Kroger addresses concerns about rodents in Midtown store
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Kroger says there is no rodent issue at its Union Avenue store, despite WREG showing the company a video of a mouse running down an aisle away from employees Wednesday morning. This comes two weeks after someone posted a video of a bread bag with holes in it, claiming the Midtown store was infested with mice and rats. Another person also posted a video of a mouse running across what looked like a store aisle. 'The video that you had from yesterday was taken to the pest control company, and the goal is to find out how that mouse got into the building and make sure it doesn't happen again,' said Associate Communications and Engagement Manager George Brown. Brown said as soon as Kroger saw the social media posts, they contacted a pest control company to investigate, and the Tennessee Department of Agriculture did not find any signs of rodents in the building. 'We really want to thank the Tennessee Department of Agriculture, which came out right away. They didn't find any rodent activity in any of the food areas, which was great because we could confidently serve our customers,' said Brown. The TDA told WREG its Food Safety office has not received any consumer complaints, but decided to inspect the store after also noticing the social media posts. During a May 14 visit, the TDA reported that no rodent activity was observed, but acknowledged that a store manager had previously reported seeing signs of rodent activity. Kroger said it has taken steps to protect the property from rats spotted outside near a former fast-food restaurant next door. The business has been closed for years, and it appears that homeless individuals have been staying there, leaving behind food and trash. Several rats were spotted in the shrubs surrounding the vacant property on Thursday. 'As you saw, that abandoned property is attracting rodents and other issues. We contacted the health department and reported that we want to protect our business, and we also want to protect the neighborhood, because if that building stays that way, the problem could get worse,' Brown said. Several rat traps have been placed around the former restaurant. Kroger has also placed traps around the back of its store. A spokesperson for the city stated that another company has purchased the restaurant property, but code enforcement is referring the matter to environmental court through the Neighborhood Preservation Act. The Tennessee Department of Agriculture said it will conduct a follow-up visit to the Kroger store within the next 30 days. Kroger said they always want customers to feel safe in their stores and know that the food they are getting is safe. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Mourning father said he hopes daughter's death helps domestic violence victims
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — It's been four days since Jyrah Smith, a South Memphis mother of three, was killed. 'Yesterday, I was okay, but today, I'm in my moment,' Jyrah's father, Tamarkus Smith, said. 'I'm really in my moment.' Her boyfriend, Deangelo Mitchell, has now been charged with second-degree murder. Man says he shot woman thinking she was 'male with dreads:' police Smith, who's still mourning the loss of his beloved 23-year-old daughter, said he remembers her as a happy soul. 'She was loving, she was caring,' Tamarkus Smith said. 'Everybody who knew her and was around her said she was a happy soul. She was always positive, talking about God and never in trouble.' Like many fathers and daughters, Jyrah and Tamarkus would talk daily. Their last conversation was about upcoming plans for the Fourth of July. 'She said 'Dad, Z is having a get-together for the Fourth of July, are you coming?' I said yes baby, I'll be there,' Smith recalled. '[She said] make sure you come dad.' And I said I'll be there! Now on the Fourth of July, we dedicating the Fourth of July in her memory.' Jyrah leaves behind three young children, whom Tamarkus said he plans on helping raise. ORIGINAL STORY: Mother of 3 killed in South Memphis shooting; suspect on the run He's also helped organize a GoFundMe to help raise money for funeral costs. He told WREG that his biggest hope is that his daughter's death will be a lesson for someone else going through domestic violence. 'And I want my daughter to be an advocate for domestic violence, Smith said. 'I want my daughter's death to be a positive for someone, saying 'I'm going to get out of the situation' because my daughter – she is gone. I hope her death can help someone else out.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Climate
- Yahoo
Veteran's house struck by lightning causes ceiling to cave in
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — An Air Force veteran's house was struck by lightning in Bartlett while he was out of town. Willie Hooper's home was struck by lightning during Sunday's severe weather in Shelby County. The 62-year-old told WREG he was on his way to visit his daughter in Ohio, and he started to feel ill so he stopped in Kentucky. 'I could not see my cameras that I have on my house. They were not working,' said Hooper. 'So, I talked to my neighbor and she said she has power and she didn't know the issue was, so I called my son and then I called MLGW.' At first, Hooper says he thought someone maybe cut the security system and broke into his house. 'And soon as we walked upstairs, I see the ceiling kind of caved in,' said Willie Hopper Jr., son. 'The guy from MLGW was behind me he kind of looked over my shoulder and said 'We got the answer, we know what the culprit is.'' MPD arrests over 120 people in Operation Code Zero The technician determined the damage was caused by a lightning strike to the roof. Hooper said he was thankful he was not home. 'There was definitely a point where the boom and the flash happened at exactly the same time. We were watching TV and it startled us all,' said his neighbor. 'Where it hit is where my computer is at, and that is exactly where I normally sit,' said Willie Hooper. 'So I think it's a thing that God is trying to tell me something.' Hooper is headed back to Bartlett to check on the damage to his house. The Bartlett Fire Department told WREG they did not respond to Hooper's home because they were not called for assistance. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Yahoo
WATCH: Large potholes seen on I-40 to Hernando DeSoto Bridge
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — While driving eastbound on I-40 to the Hernando DeSoto Bridge, large potholes could be seen on the bridge. In the above video, you can see what it's like to drive over the bridge in three versions: regular speed, with freeze frames that show the potholes and exposed steel rods and slow motion. WREG has learned that crews are on the Interstate now working to fix the potholes. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
