July 21, 2025
Video shows a woman warning intruders before shooting one of them.
A woman defending her children will not be charged for shooting one of three people who allegedly broke into her home in Memphis last week, according to Action News 5.
The video shows the woman, who was not identified by authorities, retreating into a room. She can be seen yelling at the three people in her home to leave after informing them that she has her children with her.
Kimari Burnham and Nala Kelley, both 21, and 22-year-old Dejwan Payne were arrested. Burnham, who was shot, was originally listed in critical condition.
Investigators with the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office said they responded after receiving a shooting call at the woman’s home on Wednesday, July 2. Authorities say the three suspects entered the residence without permission just before 10 p.m. When police officers arrived, they found Burnham injured. Officials believe that the incident appears to be domestic.
All three suspects were charged with aggravated burglary; Burnham and Kelley were also charged with misdemeanor vandalism. After detectives collected evidence from the scene, they determined the mom acted in self-defense.
Here’s video of the incident. Viewer discretion is advised.
FOX 13 reported that Burnham and Kelley were being held at Jail East; Payne was released on his own recognizance. The suspects are due in court this week.
“In Tennessee, you can defend your home with deadly force,” defense attorney Brandon Hall told FOX 13. “So once they cross that threshold and they’re inside your house, that’s enough to assume there’s a presumption made that they’re there to do you harm.”
Hall said the same law applies even if the intruders are not armed.
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