MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A church is mourning the loss of one of its workers who was beaten outside his home in East Memphis, and police are searching for suspects.
According to Memphis Police, the man was attacked around 6 a.m. Saturday morning on Watson Street, which is a few blocks over from Audubon Park.
Christ Church Memphis identified the victim as Steve Pearl, a dedicated father, grandfather, and loyal church staff member.
Police have not yet released a motive, but surveillance video is shedding light on what happened to the 74-year-old victim.
The video shows two men getting out of a gold SUV and knocking Pearl to the ground as he was loading his truck before heading to church. There was a struggle and then Pearl goes lifeless.
“He was out cold, hardly breathing, nonresponsive,” said his next-door neighbor Ames Saunders.
Saunders said he and his wife were sleeping when they heard gunfire nearby and started yelling at the people who fired the shots while calling 911.
“What really got our attention was the gunshot which quite often here in Memphis, you see and hear gunshots all the time, but you don’t hear them right outside your window,” Saunders said. “I start yelling ‘Steve, Steve,’ and I start looking for a gunshot, any signs of a gunshot wound, and there was none to be had. He wasn’t bleeding.”
Christ Church Memphis said in a statement Pearl served there for 27 years, most recently as the director of facilities. The church said he “touched our lives in countless ways with his Christ-centered selflessness, a temperament that always went the extra mile, and deep love of people.”
Neighbors say that spirit stuck with him through his final moments.
“He had gospel music playing in his house during the time when all this happened,” Saunders said. “He had intentions and plans for the future.”
Family members told us they believe the suspects may have gotten away with Pearl’s keys and one of his guns.
Memphis Police say this is on ongoing homicide investigation. If you know any information, call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH.
