WREG.com

Women charged with attempted murder at Whitehaven Community Center

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Two Whitehaven women are behind bars, charged with attempted second-degree murder, after police say they beat and stabbed another woman at Whitehaven Community Center Tuesday.

Asia Down and Ayana Cox are charged in the brutal beating.

Police say the attempted murder sparked from an argument on Facebook.

That’s when Downs told the victim to meet her at the community center.

The victim was beaten so badly; she now has a collapsed lung, broken ribs and stab wounds all over her neck, face, and back.

“That’s saddening, something definitely needs to be done,” said Daphany Kelly, who wants to see more police presence in the area.

The stabbing happened just across the street from the Peppertree Apartments.

Court Records show it’s where officers arrested both Cox and Downs Thursday night for the brutal beating.

“I think that was wrong, but what do you expect it’s over here?” expressed Peppertree resident Quita Ross.

Just last month, police investigated two separate shootings in and around the complex.

One shooting left a man dead; the other shooting shook the neighborhood when a stray bullet struck a sleeping toddler in the face.

“Children are around like you said. The 2-year-old that got shot, they are innocent we want to protect our children,” said Kelly.

With another senseless crime happening here in just several weeks, parents like Ross aren’t sure if they want to stay and raise their children.

“I have a son, but he stays in the house with me,” said Ross.

Cox and Downs remain in jail on $350,000 bonds.

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