The white Mercedes Benz towed from an abandoned home in Orange Mound is believed to be the same vehicle involved in the shooting in Covington on Nov. 12. (Source: Memphis Police Department)

This week the rumor at Covington High School was the shooting that critically injured a football player’s mother and killed another woman was linked to the shooting death of Memphis rapper Young Dolph days later. As it turns out, that rumor is right on track with what police believe, too.

On Friday, Nov. 12, Darnisha Wynn (McLeod) and Anita Wilson, her partner’s mother, were shot at the corner of South College and Church Street after they left the Covington-Ripley football game. According to police, Darnisha’s son and another teenager were in the car in front of the two women and, after they turned on Church Street, the vehicle behind the women pulled up next to them and shot off nearly 40 rounds from an assault rifle.

The women were airlifted to the Regional One Medical Center in Memphis where they were in critical condition for several days. Anita was reported to be paralyzed, but died on Thursday morning.

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Police said a white Mercedes Benz coupe on caught surveillance video and reported that as the suspect vehicle last weekend.

On Wednesday afternoon, as he left Makeda’s Butter Cookies on Airways, Young Dolph, whose given name is Adolph Thornton Jr., was shot to death by two men using assault rifles.

The renowned rapper, known also for his smart business sense and philanthropic endeavors in his hometown, died on the scene. Surveillance footage shows a white Mercedes Benz was the getaway vehicle in that murder as well.

The suspects caught on surveillance video killed Memphis rapper Young Dolph are believed to be the same people involved in the shooting of Darnisha Wynn and Anita Wilson just days prior. Wilson died Thursday, the day after Young Dolph was murdered. (Source: Memphis Police Department)

On Saturday, Memphis Police found the vehicle ditched behind an abandoned house on Bradley in the Orange Mound community.

Covington Police Captain Jack Howell confirmed to The Leader Saturday afternoon they believe the same vehicle was used in both shootings. It was also noted in a Memphis police report that the shootings may be related.

A photo taken by a CHS student shows the scene at the corner of South College and Church Street half an hour after the Covington-Ripley football game.

On Friday, as Covington faced Dyersburg in round three of the playoffs, players had Darnisha’s name on their helmets and mothers of other football players wore her son’s number pinned to their shirts in support of the linebacker, in honor of the mother who could not be there to cheer him on, and in memory of the woman who died the day before as a result of her injuries.

There was also heavy police escort to the game in Dyersburg Friday night to help keep student athletes safe. The police department has said the Covington shooting was not related to the game which preceded it.

According to police, Darnisha is now in stable condition.

No suspects have yet been named or arrested in either shooting. Anyone with information is asked to contact CPD Lt. Rodney McCurry at 901-573-1586 or Captain Jack Howell at 901-484-2735.

Echo Day
Author: Echo Day

Echo Day is an award-winning journalist, photographer and designer. She is currently The Leader's managing editor.