A Tennessee teenager is facing serious charges after police say a deadly shooting inside a Memphis home left a 93-year-old woman dead and two others fighting for their lives.
Derrion Taylor has been charged with first-degree murder, two counts of attempted first-degree murder, and two counts of aggravated assault, according to the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office. Taylor was 17 years old at the time of the shooting that killed Geraldine Harris.
Police say the violence erupted on Jan. 17, 2024, when officers with the Memphis Police Department responded to reports of gunfire at a home on Kendale Avenue. When officers arrived, they found three women suffering from gunshot wounds.
Harris, 93, was pronounced dead at the scene. The two other victims were rushed to a nearby hospital with critical injuries.
Investigators later determined the shooting stemmed from a disagreement between at least one of the victims and two men. Authorities say Harris was not involved in the dispute that led to the violence.
Local State Representative Antonio Parkinson called the situation heartbreaking and senseless.
“She had nothing to do with that,” Parkinson said. “One of our matriarchs in the community has lost her life because of some nonsense that’s going on, probably with younger people.”
After a lengthy investigation, authorities concluded Taylor was responsible for the shooting. A juvenile petition for his arrest was issued on July 22, 2025.
With assistance from the U.S. Marshals Service, investigators tracked Taylor to a home on Colony Drive in Memphis two days later. Officers surrounded the residence and took him into custody without incident.
Prosecutors recently confirmed that Taylor’s case has now been transferred to adult criminal court. A judge set his bond at $1 million.
Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy described the case as deeply troubling.
“The facts of this case are deeply disturbing,” Mulroy said in a statement. “A 93-year-old woman lost her life in her own home, and two others were critically injured. Our hearts are with Ms. Harris’s family and loved ones as they continue to endure this unimaginable loss. We are committed to pursuing justice and ensuring accountability as this case moves forward.”
Friends and family say Harris was a beloved member of the Memphis community who spent much of her life helping others.
According to her obituary, she worked for many years as a Memphis public school teacher and remained active in her church and community long after retiring.
Even in her later years, Harris continued volunteering, including delivering meals to seniors through the Meals on Wheels program and teaching inmates at the Shelby County Penal Farm.
Loved ones remember her as someone who devoted her life to education, faith, and service — making her tragic death even more heartbreaking for those who knew her.
The usual ngr
Did an adult crime.