Memphis man charged with murder over Christmas Day road rage shooting that killed bystander

Montavius Wells, 29, was arrested months after bystander Cadarious Williams was shot dead during a road rage incident at Winchester Grove Apartments.

Memphis suspect arrested months after Christmas Day road rage killing

Google News MT — Crime (en) reports that the Memphis Police Department has arrested Montavius Wells, 29, in connection with a road rage shooting on Christmas Day that left a bystander dead.

Wells faces charges of first-degree murder and employment of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony. Jail records confirm he was booked on Monday and is currently held without bond. A court appearance is scheduled for 21 September.

At 4:06 p.m. on 25 December, officers responded to a shooting call at Winchester Grove Apartments in the Whitehaven neighbourhood. Around 20 minutes later, police were notified that 29-year-old Cadarious Williams had arrived at a local hospital with fatal gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead shortly after. Investigators determined Williams had been struck during the earlier incident.

Approximately 130 cartridge casings were recovered at the scene.

According to the arrest affidavit, the confrontation began after one car rear-ended another, triggering an argument between two groups of men over payment for the damage. Both parties subsequently opened fire on each other. Williams, who was standing outside his townhouse, was caught in the crossfire by the group responsible for the collision.

That group fled in a blue Mitsubishi Outlander, which was located the following day at a separate apartment complex.

Neighbour Tenia Strickland described the exchange to Action News 5: "Somebody tapped somebody's car, and that's what took place, and a guy lost his life over a tap. It's sad that a lot of these young folks are losing their life over senseless little things, a bump."

Memphis Police had initially detained five suspects in the immediate aftermath, all of whom were released without charges.

Wells was later identified as the driver of the Outlander. A witness also picked him out from a photo lineup as one of the individuals who fired during the altercation.

Source: Google News MT — Crime (en)