Demarion Tackett, 16, has been captured in Memphis, Tennessee, United States. He is accused of killing John Robert “Red” Materna.
Who was John Materna?
For three decades, Materna worked as a watermelon merchant in Memphis. He was better known around the city as the Watermelon Man.
On September 28, 2023, Materna turned 76. He and his wife Debra K. Materna have three sons namely John Materna, Steve Materna and Daniel Materna and two daughters namely April Stokes and Heather Porter.
At around 9:45 a.m. on May 15, 2023, John was shot while he was selling watermelons out the back of his truck during a robbery at the corner of Homer and Wayne Avenue in Memphis. The Memphis Police Department identified Tackett as the suspect.
John was taken to Regional One Hospital in Memphis in critical condition. On May 29, 2023, he died after he was taken off life support.
Where was Demarion Tackett captured?
After being arrested and charged, Tackett was released on a $100,000 bond. He was supposed to appear in Shelby County Criminal Court in Memphis on June 21, 2024.
However, Tackett failed to appear for court and went on the run. The Two Rivers Violent Fugitive Task Force (TRVFTF) of the U.S. Marshals Service in Memphis adopted the fugitive case.
At around 12:00 p.m. on July 8, 2024, U.S. Marshals found Tackett at a residence on Edgar Street in Memphis with the help of the Memphis Police Department. He initially tried to escape.
After surrendering, Tackett was taken into custody without incident. He was charged with first-degree murder, carjacking, aggravated and especially aggravated robbery, murder in perpetration of a robbery and possession of a firearm in commission of a dangerous felony.
CONAN Daily 