MEMPHIS, Tenn.– A third suspect was charged for the death of a seven-year-old girl in south Memphis.
Nineteen year old Carl Johnson now faces first-degree murder charges.
Police arrested 21-year-old Jordan Clayton and 19-year-old Branden Brookins Wednesday afternoon.
Seven-year-old Kirsten Williams was playing in the front yard of a house on Durby Circle last Friday when she was shot and killed.
Police said all the suspects arrested are documented gang members.
Wednesday night people on the street said they’re relieved the three men are behind bars.
Kirsten Williams’ family said their arrests are giving them a small sense of peace just like the neighborhood where the senseless murder took place.
One woman, who was too afraid to identify herself said she’s thankful the men are no longer a threat to the neighborhood.
“I really was just a prisoner for a couple of days in my own house,” she said.
Ray Shields, who lives on the road agreed and said little Kirsten was part of the neighborhood.
“See her up and down the street playin,” explained Shields.
On Thursday a balloon and stuffed animals held her presence on the street.
“This was something that was personal to us,” said Memphis Police Director Toney Armstrong.
For him and his team of investigators it’s been a week of pounding the pavement, working tirelessly to make sure the gangster “thugs” as he called them are off the streets.
“When I say we turned this city upside down, we literally turned this city upside down to find these two suspects,” he explained.
For now people in the neighborhood where Kirsten was killed and all across Memphis are resting a little easier.
“Since last weekend our city has literally been on edge,” said Armstrong.
However those who live in South Memphis said violence is part of the territory.
“It’s just like a jungle, you’re being hunted,” said Wilbert Nichols.
Nichols said he keeps to himself.
He was too afraid to talk too much to others, but he hopes this murder is a wake up call to everyone that things have need to change.
“It happened to a seven-year-old; that should send a message to the whole world, that what we gonna have? We ain’t gonna have nobody. You know? That’s the next generation,” he said.
Two of the suspects are scheduled to be arraigned Thursday morning.
The family for Kirsten Williams said a visitation will be held from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Friday night at Soul Winners Church at 4221 Crump.
Another visitation will be held Saturday at 10 a.m. at the church and the funeral will follow.