Memphis police announced Wednesday that Marterrio Harris, 43, has been booked on multiple felony charges after a violent incident that began at a private residence on Waterview Cove and ended in a Kroger parking lot on Kirby Road.
Sequence of events
According to an affidavit, the victim asked Harris to leave her home after he became upset about an outstanding warrant she held for a prior incident involving her. Harris responded by taking a jewelry box from the residence, which contained roughly $5,000 in items.
Instead of fleeing the scene in a vehicle, Harris left on foot. The victim pursued him in her car, hoping to retrieve her property. Harris stopped, drew a pistol, and held the weapon low by his side. The woman backed away, fearing she might be shot, and Harris walked away without firing.
Undeterred, the victim continued to follow Harris, eventually catching up with him in the parking lot of a Kroger store. There, Harris fired a single shot that destroyed one of the woman’s tires. A witness in the lot corroborated the shooting, and the victim was forced to replace the tire at her own expense.
Charges filed
Harris was arrested on October 27 and charged with aggravated assault‑domestic violence, reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon, theft of property and vandalism. The charges reflect both the theft of the jewelry and the dangerous act of discharging a firearm in a public parking area.
Police officials emphasized that the use of a firearm to intimidate a victim, even without a direct shot to a person, constitutes a serious threat to public safety. The department’s spokesperson noted that the suspect’s actions demonstrate a disregard for the law and for the safety of fellow citizens.
Community impact
Residents of the Kirby Road area expressed concern over the incident, noting that Kroger parking lots are high‑traffic zones where families shop and children play. Local community leaders called for increased patrols and vigilance to deter similar acts of violence.
“We want our neighborhoods to be safe places for families to shop and walk,” said a spokesperson for the Memphis Neighborhood Association. “When someone resorts to theft and gun violence, it undermines the sense of security that our community works hard to maintain.”
Legal process ahead
Harris remains in custody pending a bail hearing. If convicted, the aggravated assault and reckless endangerment charges could carry significant prison time, while the theft and vandalism counts add additional penalties.
The case will be monitored closely by both law‑enforcement officials and community advocates who stress the importance of swift justice and preventative measures to keep Memphis streets safe.
Original reporting: Action News 5 WMC (Gray) — read the source article.
