Innocent Bystander Shot During Memphis Tow Shooting

Tow Driver arrested and charged with Reckless Endangerment and Discharging a Fireman from within a Motor Vehicle

Memphis, TN – February 17, 2023 – As first reported last Friday, gunfire was exchanged between a tow truck driver and an unknown individual in what was at first reported by a witness as a repossession. And as tends to happen, the only one injured was an innocent bystander. Now, the tow truck driver has been charged.

The Memphis police responded to the shooting following a call at 1:25PM EST last Thursday to find, innocent bystander Deerico Brown, on the ground with two gunshot wounds. One to his stomach and the other his left ankle. A witness to the incident reported to local news ABC24 that it all started over a repossession.

Memphis Police then apprehended two individuals, both reportedly in tow trucks, on I-40 at Warford, according to ABC24. Both men were detained and one has been charged.

Taken into custody was 29-year-old Daniel Williams, reportedly, an employee of Superior Towing.

Innocent Bystander Shot During Memphis Repo Shooting — Daniel Williams, 29 reported employee of Superior Tow

According to Williams testimony to the police, his unnamed co-worker was fired upon by an unknown individual at the scene of the shooting. Later reported by local news WREG, Williams told investigators he and another driver were attempting to tow a vehicle inside the Cavelier Court Apartments in a no-parking zone when someone got out of a black SUV and started shooting at him. Only then, after receiving gunfire, did he return gunfire, according to his testimony. Williams told officers he fired back at the person four to five times.

Two rounds struck innocent bystander Deerico Brown, who was taken to Regional One Hospital with non-critical injuries. It is unknown if he is still in the hospitalized. Brown reported to police that he was trying to get out of the tow truck driver’s way when he was shot.

Williams has been charged with Reckless Endangerment and Discharging a Fireman from within a Motor Vehicle. Williams was released from jail on a $1,500 bond.

His alleged employer, Superior Tow, has been under previous investigations by local news who questioned their private party tow practices.

Source: FOX13 Memphis

EDITORS NOTE: This was initially reported as a repossession based upon an eyewitnesses statement reported by the first reports. Police reporting of statements on the incident now state otherwise. Although this turns out to be non-repossession related, it does illustrate the obvious risk of agents carrying firearms in the line of duty. It only takes one stray round and an innocent bystander to provoke massive changes to the self-help repossession process.