MEMPHIS, TN – A Wendy’s restaurant manager is facing a murder charge after allegedly shooting and killing a man during a dispute at the fast-food location in southeast Memphis, authorities said.
Darelle Bowers, 37, was taken into custody Monday and charged with first-degree murder, according to court documents. He is currently being held without bond at the Shelby County Jail and has a court appearance scheduled for Wednesday.
The incident unfolded around 5:20 p.m. at the Wendy’s on Winchester Road. Police received an initial call reporting a disturbance at the restaurant. While en route, officers were notified that shots had been fired and someone had been struck.
Upon arrival, officers found Stephen Shepard suffering from a gunshot wound to the abdomen in the restaurant’s parking lot. Shepard was rushed to a local hospital, where he later died from his injuries.
Investigators say the conflict began when an employee asked to leave her shift early. The woman told police she contacted Shepard to pick her up after Bowers allegedly threatened her during a dispute about her leaving work. According to court filings, Bowers and Shepard became involved in a physical altercation shortly after Shepard arrived.
Videos of the Winchester Road shooting circulating on social media appear to show the violent exchange, capturing the moments leading up to the shooting. In the footage, Shepard appears to throw a punch at a man believed to be Bowers, dressed in Wendy’s red uniform. Moments later, a gunshot can be heard, after which the same individual is seen walking over to the wounded man and striking him again.
Police stated that Shepard was unarmed during the altercation. Witnesses at the scene reported that Bowers fired the weapon after being struck, with some noting that Bowers already had the gun in hand before the shot was fired.
Authorities confirmed that the two men knew each other prior to the incident. After police arrived, Bowers reportedly did not resist arrest and admitted to shooting Shepard.
A spokesperson for Wendy’s in Tennessee said the company mandates strict safety protocols at its restaurants, which include de-escalation training for employees and a firm prohibition on weapons on the premises.
The investigation remains ongoing, and officials have not released further details on what led to the escalation of the conflict.