MSTF Arrests 29 Wednesday on Multiple Felonies, Including Homicide, 1st-Degree Murder; Recovers 7 Guns

MEMPHIS - The Memphis Safe Task Force (MSTF) on Wednesday executed 29 arrests, including one woman on a homicide charge and a man on a first-degree murder charge, and recovered seven illegal firearms.

Of note:

Tamela Taylor, 23, was arrested at a residence in the 180 block of Woods Road in Humboldt on multiple warrants for a vehicular homicide-- vehicular homicide (intoxication), vehicular assault/aggravated assault (reckless), and vehicular homicide (reckless). Taylor was transported to Shelby County jail.

Taeveon Smith, 19, was arrested in the 100 block of Village Road in Covington on multiple felony warrants including first-degree murder, criminal attempt first-degree murder, aggravated assault and use of a firearm in commission of a felony stemming from a March 29 shooting incident in the 30 block of West Shelby Drive that left one man dead and two others injured. As part of their investigation into the first-degree murder, MSTF developed an address for Smith in Covington and, with assistance from the Covington Police Department, arrested Smith without incident.

Justin Thomas, 32, is being charged with vehicular manslaughter, possession of controlled substances, speeding, and fleeing law enforcement after he led officers on a pursuit that ended in a crash, killing the passenger in his vehicle and injuring himself and two other motorists. MSTF conducted surveillance in the 800 block of Red Leaf Lane on a matte black Cadillac, previously reported as having fled from MSTF during a traffic stop attempt. During surveillance, Thomas was seen getting into the driver’s seat of the Cadillac, with a woman (identified later as Renisha Thompson) as the passenger. After departing the residence, Thomas is alleged to have initiated several evasive maneuvers (multiple U-turns) in the residential area attempting to disrupt MSTF's mobile vehicle surveillance. Thomas then turned onto West Shelby Drive where Tennessee Highway Patrol attempted a traffic stop near the intersection of South Third Street. Thomas fled from THP, resulting in a vehicle pursuit on South Third Street that ended just before the West Levi Road intersection. The Cadillac struck four vehicles causing Thompson’s ejection from the Cadillac, serious injuries to Thomas and minor injuries to two other motorists. Thomas was transported to the hospital in critical condition. Thomas had an active warrant for a weapons charge prior to this incident.

Lavelle Moore, 54, was arrested in the 2800 block of East Hickory Bluff on a warrant for theft of merchandise $2,500-$10,000. As MSTF arrived at the residence, Moore fled to the backyard where he was arrested. A subsequent search of the residence yielded six firearms. Moore was also charged with felon in possession of a firearm.

Niquavious Hargrow, 20, was arrested at an apartment in the 3500 block of Bellbranch Drive for aggravated assault, unlawful possession and criminal trespass. MSTF was patrolling near an apartment complex in the 3600 block of Kingsgate Drive when two female security guards signaled for assistance. Prior to MSTF's arrival on scene, the security guards had been patrolling on Millbranch Road when they saw a woman (later identified as Synique Malone, 20) holding money next to a man (later identified as Hargrow). The security guards made a comment to the pair, after which Hargrow is alleged to have brandished an AR-style black rifle/pistol, pointing it at the security guards and verbally threatening them before walking toward the apartments. Upon arrival at the apartment, MSTF seized a Palmetto PA-15 multi-caliber rifle (round chambered) w/loaded magazine and a second loaded magazine from Hargrow. Malone and Hargrow were arrested at the apartment. Malone was charged with simple assault and criminal trespass.

Since the launch of the Memphis Safe Task Force initiative, officers have made 13,598 arrests, including 144 for homicide, 1,464 for controlled substances, 1,336 for firearms violations, and 126 for sex offenses. Of those arrested, 433 were juveniles and 1,523 were known gang members. The task force has seized 2,290 illegal firearms. These enforcement actions reflect a sustained commitment to reducing violent crime and removing dangerous weapons from Memphis neighborhoods.

The Memphis Safe Task Force is a multi-agency initiative established via a Presidential Memorandum signed by President Donald Trump on Sept. 15, 2025. Aimed at addressing violent street crime, the task force coordinates federal, state, and local law enforcement and includes mobilized members of the Tennessee National Guard. The MSTF is focused on arresting violent criminals, clearing warrants, seizing firearms, and locating missing children. Since the operation began, the MSTF has located 196 missing children.

This operation reflects the MSTF’s commitment to coordinated enforcement efforts and its mission to identify, apprehend, and hold accountable those who pose a threat to public safety.