MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A Memphis woman has been charged with shooting and killing her boyfriend.
Police were called to a house in the 1400 block of Hope in the Orange Mound area Tuesday.
Martrice Thomas, 45, called 911 and told dispatchers she shot at her boyfriend, Willie Harris.
Major Jeff Tow with Memphis Police said, “The victim was shot here, in this residence, and was taken to the hospital where he was pronounced there.”
Police said Thomas had bruises on her and claimed she shot Harris in self-defense.
“The call came from here,” Tow said. “The girlfriend made the phone call, and we were talking to her as we were coming. Then, somebody else took the victim to the hospital.”
Harris was shot in the chest.
Police said Thomas told them she shot at Harris, but didn’t even know at the time whether she had hit him.
Thomas is charged with first degree murder.
Icy streets and sidewalks made investigating the crime scene even more difficult for officers.
Family members and friends of Harris gathered outside the house, and while they admit he has a violent history, they don’t understand why his girlfriend felt she had no other option than to shoot.
“He’s scared of the police,” one family member said. “Once you tell him that you are going to call the police on him, he’ll leave you alone. You know what I’m saying? That’s all she had to do. That’s what she wanted to do, was kill him. She’s talking about self defense? I don’t believe none of it!”