MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Two people turned themselves into authorities following a shooting Friday at the Hillcrest Apartments.
The suspects were meeting with the 17-year-old victim, Joshua Cooper, to sell him a gun when there was a struggle and a shot was fired, according to police
The suspects initially ran from the scene but later turned themselves in.
Crystal Jefferson told WREG, “He said — Eh, can you call my momma for me?”
Jefferson did not know Cooper but was one of the last people who spoke to him.
“I’m the one that called his mom and told his mom to come over here — that her son was over here being shot in the Hillcrest Apartments,” she said.
“We’re hurt. The Cooper family — we are really hurt,” Gregory Cooper, Jr. said.
Family members were in tears after learning those responsible for Cooper’s death were let go and prosecutors decided not to file charged based on the evidence that was presented.
“This hurts. The pain is real,” Kamyria Cooper said.
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Friday afternoon, police said a man and woman met up with Cooper to sell him a gun when a fight broke out, and the gun went off.
However, witnesses said a picture making the rounds on social media told a different story.
Neighbors said the picture shows a woman pointing a gun at Josh from a distance before he was killed.
Police had not confirmed where or when the picture was taken.
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“He was loving. He loved to be around. He just loved –. He loved the style. He was my favorite person,” a group of family members said.
Loved ones had more than enough positive things to say about Cooper.
He graduated early from Hillcrest High School, held down a job at Burger King, and had been accepted into college.
Gregory Cooper said, “I don’t know what happened to him. That’s why I said anybody with the truth and proof of the truth –.”
The family wants anyone with information about possible evidence to come forward to help put Josh’s killers behind bars.
Police say this shooting is still an ongoing investigation.
If you know anything, call Crime Stoppers at 901-528-CASH.
