MPD still searching for killer of Church’s Chicken employee | News

MEMPHIS, Tennessee – Have you seen this woman?

Memphis police are trying to find her after an employee at Church’s Chicken on Park Avenue near Semmes was murdered Monday night.

According to the Memphis Police Department (MPD), officers responded to a shooting at the fast-food restaurant on Park Avenue near Semmes Street in Orange Mound shortly after 9 p.m. When officers arrived, they found an employee had been shot, police said.

The heated verbal argument began with an argument that police confirmed was over an order. Police said the employee, identified by family as Anitra West, was working at the restaurant’s drive-thru counter when a woman with purple hair driving a teal compact SUV argued with West at the window.

After the SUV drove off, West left the restaurant to get some fresh air, police said.

Moments later, the SUV returned and fired shots that hit West.

West was taken to the hospital where she died.

Related: Family of murdered Church’s Chicken employee speaks

“If you’re angry at someone, if you’re frustrated with someone, it should never get to the point where you stalk that person at their place of work and ultimately kill them. That’s all your life is worth,” said Britney Thornton (D) of the Shelby County Commission.

Now the community of Orange Mound is in turmoil after another senseless act of violence.

Thornton is an Orange Mound native who represents the 10th District on the Shelby County Commission. She said recent events, including the Church’s Chicken shooting, the armed robbery of her best friend and a mass shooting at Orange Mound Park in April, show this community lacks resources, including in the area of ​​mental health.

“It’s important for us to come together and share what we need. We know these incidents are beneath us and we need to speak out to the community we will have,” Thornton said.

FOX13 contacted Church’s Chicken about the fatal shooting. They sent us the following statement:

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of one of our team members. Our thoughts and prayers are with her family during this difficult time. We are working closely with the Memphis Police Department in their ongoing investigation.”

A spokesman for Church’s Chicken said West had worked there for a year.

The location will remain closed for the next few days.

They ask anyone with information to call Crimestoppers at 901-528-CASH.