Lorenzo Miller, 22, has been charged with attempted first-degree murder, especially aggravated kidnapping, tampering with evidence, and employing a firearm with intent to commit a felony after allegedly shooting his roommate in a violent confrontation over unpaid rent.
The shooting incident took place in Memphis, Tennessee, on Friday, at the apartment Miller shared with his girlfriend and the victim.
The Incident and Details of the Argument
According to an affidavit reviewed by Law&Crime, the incident occurred at Miller’s apartment located on the 2100 block of Parkhurst Court. The argument started when Miller’s roommate allegedly failed to pay his portion of the rent.
During the dispute, Miller reportedly retrieved a black Taurus handgun from a nearby coffee table and confronted his roommate.
Miller allegedly blocked the door to the room and refused to allow the roommate to leave, continuing to argue about the rent money. According to the affidavit, the confrontation escalated when the roommate punched Miller in the face, prompting Miller to pull the gun on him.
The Shooting
The altercation quickly turned violent, with Miller shooting the roommate in the stomach and twice in the shoulder. As the victim continued to resist, Miller shot him in the leg. Despite the victim’s attempts to defend himself, Miller allegedly stood over him and shot him at least two more times as the victim lay on the floor.
Police Response and Arrest
Memphis Police responded to the scene after receiving reports of gunshots. When they arrived, they found the roommate in critical condition, having been shot at least six times. He was immediately transported to a nearby hospital for treatment.
Miller was still present at the scene when officers arrived. Authorities located the black Taurus 9 mm handgun outside the apartment near a fence line. Miller’s girlfriend identified him as the shooter during police interviews.
Miller was arrested at the scene. During questioning, he reportedly confessed to shooting his roommate, claiming he did so after being assaulted by the victim.
Victim’s Identification of the Shooter
The next day, the shooting victim was able to identify Miller in a six-person photo line-up as the person responsible for the shooting, further corroborating the charges against Miller.
Legal Charges and Consequences
Miller is facing serious charges, including attempted first-degree murder and other related offenses. He is being held in custody as the legal process moves forward. The victim remains in critical condition, and it remains to be seen whether he will suffer any long-term effects from the extensive injuries caused by the shooting.
This violent incident serves as a reminder of how domestic and financial disputes can escalate into devastating violence, particularly when weapons are involved.
