Two dead following shooting at M.K. Smoke Shack

Sunday, April 7, 2024

State Gazette photo/William Northcutt

RACHEL TOWNSEND

UPDATED

At approximately 3:59 p.m., on Saturday, April 6, the Dyersburg Police Department responded to a double fatality at M.K. Smoke Shack, located at 640 Highway 51 Bypass. According to the preliminary report, both victims were killed by gunshot.

The victims have been identified as Jaheim Brown, 22, and Mekhi Benson, 23.

According to DPD, the conflict started inside the store. A recording of the incident revealed the two men started arguing before weapons were drawn and shooting occurred.

According to DPD, Brown was inside the store making a purchase when Benson entered the building. Following a confrontation, Benson pulled out his weapon and fired the first shots, with Brown returning fire and exiting the building.

Dyersburg Police Chief Thomas Langford informed State Gazette that this is an ongoing investigation; however, following the preliminary investigation, law enforcement has determined the scene is contained and there is no additional threat to the community. Langford confirmed that the incident does not appear to be gang-related.

More details will be provided on this investigation as they are made available.

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Prayers for these families. Senseless killing.

-- Posted by BBs on Sun, Apr 7, 2024, at 1:04 PM
Judging by the location of the bodies. And lack of continuing threat to the community. I�m gonna say robbery gone sideways. Victims are probably clerk and robber. I could be completely wrong but with the information given that�s my guess.

-- Posted by OldSage on Sun, Apr 7, 2024, at 8:25 PM
Curious whet they were arguing about? Drugs? Turf? Parking Space? Woman? I doubt they thought it was worth dying for as they died. Sad story indeed.

-- Posted by convince.me on Mon, Apr 8, 2024, at 12:01 PM
People stop with the accusations. Two young men are deceased. They have family and I happen to be beside the father of one of the young men, so please show some respect and let these families grieve without all of this chaos

-- Posted by donniejean08 on Mon, Apr 8, 2024, at 9:17 PM
Whats wrong? Did my comment hurt your feelings?

-- Posted by Gt72 on Fri, Apr 12, 2024, at 12:05 PM

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