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MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The 16-year-old charged with shooting and killing the ‘Watermelon Man’ last year has posted bond and is waiting to be released.

According to jail records, the teenager’s $100,00 bond was posted.

John Materna, aka Red or the Watermelon Man

Police say John Materna was selling watermelons at the corner of Homer Street and Wayne Avenue when he was shot on May 15, 2023. He passed away two weeks later after he was taken off life support.

Demarion Tackett was 15 years old when he was arrested for the shooting.

Tackett is charged with first-degree murder, two counts of especially aggravated robbery, two counts of aggravated robbery, carjacking, murder in perpetration of a felony, and three counts of employment of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony.

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