Memphis, TN — Police in Memphis have initiated a manhunt for Monica Williams, 45, who is accused of murdering a local Church’s Chicken employee following an altercation. The incident took place on Monday night, resulting in the death of 48-year-old Anitra West.
Authorities were called to the scene shortly after 9 p.m., where they found West suffering from gunshot injuries outside the fast-food restaurant. She was immediately rushed to Regional One Hospital but succumbed to her injuries shortly thereafter.
According to the Memphis Police Department, the conflict began when a woman with purple hair, now identified as Williams, drove a teal-colored SUV into the drive-through and engaged in a verbal altercation with West. After the argument, as West stepped outside presumably for a break, witnesses heard a gunshot and video surveillance showed the vehicle speeding away.
The vehicle implicated in the incident was located and impounded by law enforcement the following morning. However, Williams remains at large. The Memphis Police have issued a warrant for her arrest, charging her with first-degree harboring.
The police urge anyone with information regarding Williams’ whereabouts to contact Crime Stoppers of Memphis and Shelby County. Informants contributing to her arrest might be eligible for a monetary reward as an incentive for community cooperation in this troubling case.
The loss of West has deeply affected her community and family. West was a team member at Church’s Chicken for over a year. Friends and family remembered her as a positive and influential presence. Her ex-husband, Loranzo West, shared, “I’m a better man because of her. That’s what will be missed the most.” The couple had a daughter together, now aged 12, who is left grappling with the tragedy.
In response to the incident, a spokesperson for Church’s Chicken expressed the organization’s sorrow and extended their condolences to West’s family. They reaffirmed their commitment to collaborating with the ongoing police investigation and encouraged anyone with relevant information to come forward.
The shooting is part of a disturbing trend of violence at fast food restaurants, recalling a recent case where two employees at a Chick-Fil-A in Texas were fatally shot in June. These incidents highlight the broader issue of workplace safety and the need for increased security measures in such environments.
As the community mourns the loss of Anitra West and authorities continue their search for Monica Williams, the case serves as a sobering reminder of the sudden and tragic nature of such conflicts and the profound impact they have on families and communities alike.