More details came to light Thursday, a day after a woman was found shot to death and a man dismembered inside a Memphis house.
It all started at 1:30 a.m. on Wednesday, when someone waved down Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers patrolling Helsley Street in northeast Memphis. Those state troopers summoned Memphis Police officers to attend to a gunshot at a nearby residence. A bullet to the head left Betty Pratt dead inside the residence.
Authorities ultimately charged her son, Arsenio Davis, with her murder.
Witnesses informed police that Davis sold crack cocaine and was generally armed with two firearms. According to those who spoke with detectives, a man approached Davis’ house to discuss a past fight they had during a narcotics exchange. Davis opened fire on the man while standing in his doorway, according to witnesses. According to his arrest affidavit, Davis pursued the individual, walking out into the street and firing bullets.
Neighbors reported that Pratt was inside the residence at the time. One lady who escaped from a nearby residence told investigators she saw Davis holding a gun to Pratt’s back before hearing two gunshots.
Hours later, officers received word that Davis had returned to the house. They arrived to arrest him and saw him leaving out the back entrance of the house with two backpacks and a wig. According to officers, Davis dropped the goods in the yard, re-entered the house, and was arrested as he left again.
Davis was wearing blood-stained purple gloves at the time, according to authorities. He also had what seemed to be blood on his face, according to the arresting officers.
When police entered the property, they discovered a deceased male lying on the kitchen floor with “sharp force trauma” to his torso. Officers said that the individual, only known as “John Doe,” had injuries on his back, face, arms, and hand, and that one of his arms had been partially severed.
A witness told police that they dropped the man down at the house during the initial homicide investigation, while law enforcement and family members were present. According to investigators, body-worn camera footage shows the man entering the home without being addressed by any family members or other inhabitants.
Davis was charged with first-degree murder, second-degree murder, possessing a firearm while committing a violent felony, and being a convicted criminal in possession of a handgun.
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