2 15-Year-Olds, 20 Year-Old Face First Degree Murder Charge in Death of Beloved Pastor

Memphis police have charged four people — three of them juveniles — in connection with the shooting death of a beloved pastor during a carjacking last week.

Rev. Autura Eason-Williams, pastor of Capleville United Methodist Church, was shot and killed in her driveway on July 18, as CrimeOnline previously reported.

Three teens — a 15-, 16-, and 17-year old — were taken into custody the following day. The younger boy was charged with first degree murder, while the 16-year-old was charged with theft and the 17-year-old was released without charge.

WREG reported that police later arrested another 15-year-old and 20-year-old Eduard G. Rodriguez Tabora, charging both of them with first degree murder and other crimes.

According to an affidavit, Tabora told police he was with two minors when Eason-Williams was killed. One of them was driving a Hyundai while he and the other juvenile jumped out and ran up to Eason-Williams’s Infiniti when she pulled into her driveway, as seen in surveillance footage.

Tabora said the juvenile went to driver’s side, and he, wearing a face mask and gloves, went to the passenger side. After the shooting, Tabora said, he got back into the Hyundai and fled, while the other 15-year-old drove off in Eason-Williams car.

An affidavit filed earlier for the 15-year-old who drove the Hyundai said that both of the other two people “shot multiple times” into Eason-Williams’ car and pulled her out before both drove away in the Infiniti, the Memphis Commercial Appeal said. The affidavit said that the three met up later behind an apartment complex and dumped property from the vehicle before driving away.

The Infiniti was later found crashed.

Shelby County District Attorney Amy Weirich said she is seeking to have both 15-year-olds tried as adults. Both boys are expected in court on August 1.

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[Featured image: Autura Eason-Williams/Capleville United Methodist Church]