Police say the suspect told detectives she confronted the man after a young relative accused him of inappropriate contact.
MEMPHIS, TN — An 18-year-old Memphis woman has been charged with murder after police say she admitted to shooting a man and leaving his body in the street following an accusation by a young relative that he had touched her inappropriately.
Authorities said the suspect, identified as Alishon Torres, was arrested after investigators linked her to the fatal shooting. Police say Torres later told detectives she confronted the man after a family member reported being inappropriately touched. The man was found dead in a street, and the case quickly moved from a homicide investigation to an arrest after officers gathered witness statements and surveillance evidence.
According to police records, officers were called to the scene after reports of gunfire in a Memphis neighborhood. When officers arrived, they found the victim lying in the roadway with gunshot wounds. Emergency crews pronounced him dead at the scene. Investigators began canvassing the area for witnesses and security footage while homicide detectives worked to identify a suspect.
During the investigation, police said Torres was identified as the person who fired the shots. Detectives said she later admitted her involvement during questioning. According to investigators, Torres told police she confronted the man after a younger relative told her he had touched the child inappropriately. Authorities said the confrontation escalated before the shooting occurred.
Police have not released the full sequence of events leading up to the gunfire, and investigators have not publicly confirmed whether any prior reports had been made about the alleged conduct that triggered the confrontation. Court records indicate Torres is accused of shooting the man and leaving him in the street before fleeing the area.
The victim’s identity has not been widely released in early reports as authorities continue notifying family members and collecting evidence. Detectives said they are reviewing witness accounts and physical evidence to determine the precise circumstances of the shooting. Investigators are also working to establish where the encounter between Torres and the victim began and how it moved into the street where the man was found.
Police said Torres was taken into custody and booked into the Shelby County jail. She faces a charge of first-degree murder. Under Tennessee law, the charge can apply when prosecutors believe a killing was intentional and premeditated, though court proceedings will determine how the case moves forward.
Prosecutors have not yet detailed whether additional charges could be filed or whether other individuals were present during the confrontation. Authorities said detectives are continuing to interview witnesses and review surveillance footage from nearby homes and businesses.
The case has drawn attention in Memphis, where investigators say many details remain under review. Officials emphasized that the allegations involving the young relative are part of the investigative record but have not been adjudicated in court. Police said those claims remain a component of the broader homicide investigation.
A court appearance for Torres is expected in the coming days, when a judge will review the charges and determine the next steps in the case. Prosecutors are expected to outline evidence gathered by detectives and request that the case move forward through the Shelby County court system.
Author note: Last updated March 7, 2026.