Prosecutors seek death penalty in Memphis shooting

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — Prosecutors said Monday they would pursue the death penalty if a Tennessee man is convicted of first-degree murder in a one-day shooting in Memphis that left three people dead and three injured.

The announcement by Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy came at a press conference in the case of Ezekiel Kelly, who was charged last year in a series of shootings that led to a citywide shelter-in-place order and a frantic manhunt.

Kelly, 20, has been charged with murder in the deaths of Dewayne Tunstall, Richard Clark and Allison Parker. He pleaded not guilty.

At least three witnesses saw Kelly shoot Tunstall during a rally at a Memphis home around 1 a.m. on September 7, according to a police affidavit. Clark and Parker were shot later that day while Kelly was driving through Memphis live-streaming some of his activities, authorities said.

Police said three other people were injured in the shooting. An indictment also charges Kelly with attempted first degree murder and more than 20 other alleged offenses including reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon, commission of an act of terrorism, theft of property and escape from arrest.

Kelly’s attorney did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

Kelly hijacked at least two vehicles and he was arrested after crashing into a stolen car while fleeing police, authorities said.

The shootings have shut down Memphis’ public bus system, locked down two college campuses and halted a minor league baseball game.

Relatives told The Associated Press that Parker was a mother of three who worked as a medical assistant at a clinic near West Memphis, Arkansas.

Clark worked as a campus security guard at Christian Brothers University after retiring from a career as a correctional officer.