MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Jeremy McKinney was one day shy of his 25th birthday, but instead of a birthday celebration, a Frayser family is preparing for his funeral.
McKinney died early Monday morning jut one day after he was shot while traveling on North Watkins near Interstate 40.
Memphis Police said McKinney was the passenger in a car that was merging onto the interstate when someone drove up and started shooting.
But family told WREG the shooting may not have been random.
In fact, they claimed it could be retaliation.
McKinney’s sister, who didn’t want her identity revealed, said the shooting likely stemmed from another incident she said her brother was involved in.
“He got caught in the middle of another scramble so maybe that`s still the reason. We received a couple of threats and stuff,” she said.
Family members said McKinney got out of jail just a couple of weeks ago after he was accused of setting up a murder victim in another shooting several months ago.
“From the family member of the young man that it happened from, they was saying that they was going to get Jeremy. They said that they was going to get Jeremy, texting his phone and calling his phone,” she said.
Investigators said the suspects were in a white Hyundai Sonata.
McKinney has been arrested several times for charges ranging from aggravated burglary, criminal trespassing to drug charges.