‘Why? Why?’ Man shot by cousin during argument outside home, Tennessee cops say
A man is in custody after being accused of shooting his cousin after an argument during which he asked him to leave his apartment, Tennessee cops said.
Jeremy Payne, 28, was charged with second-degree murder and employing a firearm with the intent to commit a felony, according to jail records.
Deputies said Payne was hosting his cousin in his Memphis apartment for a few days when the two began arguing on March 31, according to an affidavit.
Police did not specify what started the argument, but the situation escalated until the two became “irate.”
Deputies said Payne “demanded” that his cousin get out of his apartment, and he called his sister to come and pick up his cousin.
Payne, his sister and his cousin were moving his belongings into Payne’s sister’s vehicle while Payne and his cousin continued to argue, deputies said.
At one point, the two men threatened to kill each other, according to the affidavit.
Deputies said surveillance footage showed the two men turn face-to-face, continuing to argue, and then Payne’s cousin turned away toward the vehicle.
Payne pulled out a handgun and shot his cousin several times, according to the affidavit, and his cousin fell to the ground.
“Why? Why?” Payne’s cousin asked him, and Payne’s sister was seen running to their cousin, deputies said.
Payne’s sister said their cousin hadn’t been “clutching” for a gun, and she called law enforcement, according to the affidavit.
Payne’s cousin was taken to a hospital where he died from his injuries.
Deputies said Payne was taken into custody at the scene.
This story was originally published April 3, 2023 at 4:34 PM with the headline "‘Why? Why?’ Man shot by cousin during argument outside home, Tennessee cops say."
