Memphis, Tennessee — A routine dinner at a Burger King turned into a violent crime scene after a father was allegedly shot while trying to protect his son during a confrontation with two men who believed the younger man had stolen an Apple Watch, according to police.
Authorities say the shooting happened Tuesday evening outside the Burger King located on Poplar Avenue and resulted in one man being critically injured while his son was also assaulted.
Investigators have since arrested two suspects, who now face multiple felony charges.
Police Say Dispute Began Over Suspected Stolen Apple Watch
According to court records, the incident unfolded around 6:20 p.m. when a father and his son were inside the Burger King restaurant.
Police say Dale Townes, 25, and Trevor Young, 30, arrived in a white Dodge heavy-duty pickup truck pulling a trailer loaded with lawn equipment.
Investigators allege the two men believed the son had stolen an Apple Watch. According to police, the son had previously worked for Young’s lawn service and was familiar with both suspects.
The confrontation allegedly began in the restaurant’s parking lot, where the suspects approached the son and a physical fight broke out.
Father Tried to Stop Fight Before Shooting
Authorities say the son managed to break free and ran inside the Burger King to get help from his father.
Investigators allege the two suspects followed him into the restaurant before everyone returned outside.
Witnesses told police the father attempted to calm the situation and stop the confrontation.
However, authorities say the suspects allegedly continued attacking the son despite the father’s efforts to intervene. According to investigators, the father eventually struck one of the suspects while trying to protect his son.
Police allege that Townes then pulled out a 9 mm handgun and shot the father at close range, striking him in the left side of the abdomen.
Investigators say Young then allegedly told Townes not to fire another shot before both men fled the scene in their pickup truck.
Father and Son Both Hospitalized
Responding officers found the father suffering from a gunshot wound when they arrived at the scene.
He was rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition, although later reports indicated his condition had improved and was downgraded to non-critical.
Police also found the son at the scene with injuries after allegedly being repeatedly beaten with an unidentified object.
He was transported to another hospital, where officials listed his injuries as non-life-threatening. Investigators recovered one spent 9 mm shell casing from outside the restaurant.
Surveillance Video and Witnesses Helped Lead to Arrests
According to investigators, surveillance footage inside the Burger King reportedly captured the son running into the restaurant while trying to escape the confrontation.
Police say the video also showed the suspects following him inside before the altercation moved back outdoors.
The son later told investigators that Young was the person who repeatedly assaulted him during the incident. About 15 minutes after the shooting, officers located the suspects’ pickup truck and arrested both men.
Authorities charged Dale Townes with attempted second-degree murder and employing a firearm during the commission of a felony.
Trevor Young was charged with aggravated assault and accessory after the fact.
The allegations outlined in court records represent the prosecution’s claims. Both defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
What are your thoughts on this case? Do you think confrontations over suspected theft should ever be handled without involving law enforcement? Share your thoughts respectfully in the comments below.
