SHELBY COUNTY, TN. (THECOUNT) — Reverend Autura Eason-Williams, of Memphis, Tennessee, has been identified as the victim in a fatal shooting Monday in Shelby County.
Eason-Williams, 52, was fatally shot during what officials believe was a carjacking outside her home in Whitehaven on Monday afternoon around 4:15 p.m. Whitehaven is a residential area of Memphis primarily known for Elvis Presley’s Graceland.
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Details of the fatal shooting are limited, however, THECOUNT.com has learned the shooting occurred near Eason-Williams’ home, located at 1000 Whitehaven Lane in Memphis.
The United Methodist Church leader was transported to an area hospital where she was later pronounced dead of gunshot injuries.
Three juvenile suspects were later taken into custody as people of interest. Thus far, no charges have been filed.
Eason-Williams was a leader in the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference of the United Methodist Church. She began full-time ministry in 1997 and had served under appointment in the United Methodist Church since 2002. She served many years with Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare as a member of the Faith and Health Committee and on the planning committees that created My Sister’s Keeper, an outreach that addresses health disparities of African American women.
Eason-Williams was a wife and mother to four children.
The Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference issued the following statement on the tragic death:
We ask your prayers for the family and friends of Rev. Dr. Autura Eason-Williams who died on July 18 after being shot during a carjacking outside of her home. Autura was the District Superintendent of the conference’s Metro District.
If you have any information about where or with whom Autura may have been on that Monday between the hours of 2:30 and 4:30 p.m., it may be helpful for the police investigation. Please contact the Memphis Police at Sgt. Q. Smith at 901-636-3413.
We all are shocked and saddened by this senseless act. A district gathering was held at Colonial Park UMC 5330 Park Avenue, Memphis, TN 38119 on Monday evening. May the love of Christ carry all those who love her during these days of grief ahead. We will rely on God together.
Anyone with any possible information about the case should call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH.
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Geo quick facts: Shelby County is a county in the U.S. state of Tennessee. As of the 2010 census, the population was 927,644. It is the state’s largest county both in terms of population and geographic area. Its county seat is Memphis, a port on the Mississippi River and the second most populous city in Tennessee – Wikipedia.