Teen suspect accused of killing 'Red the Watermelon Man' is on the run

Lina Portman6 days ago

0 1 minute read

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) – District Attorney Steve Mulroy is expected to provide an update on the 16-year-old murder suspect.

Demarion Tackett is charged with the murder of John “Red the Watermelon Man” Materna.

DA Mulroy and the U.S. Marshals will hold a press conference Friday at 10:30 a.m.

Tackett missed his court appearance Monday but has been on the run since.

An arrest warrant was issued against him.

In March, Tackett was released on $100,000 bail.

It was barely a month after he was transferred from juvenile to adult court.

On May 15, 2023, investigators say 76-year-old Materna's life was cut short by gun violence.

Police say two men in a silver Infiniti shot Materna as they tried to rob him while he was selling watermelons in broad daylight.

Materna later died in hospital.

Nearly a year later, the 16-year-old suspected shooter was released on bail.

The prosecutor's office did not support the judge's decision.

In fact, their office tried to increase it, but Judge Mitchell denied the motion, keeping that lower bail in place.

Today, the teenager remains on the run. In

Click here to subscribe to our newsletter!

Click here to report a spelling or grammar error. Please include the title.