Verdell Pegues, 41, of Memphis, Tennessee, has been charged with two counts of first‑degree murder and several firearm‑related charges in the March 22, 2026, shooting of his ex‑girlfriend Lashaunda Boyd, 36, and her companion Jimmy Ford, 37. The incident occurred in broad daylight near the intersection of East Dison Avenue and Carnegie Street in Memphis.
Domestic‑violence history
Days before the shooting, Boyd filed two domestic‑violence police reports against Pegues on March 18, alleging that he had physically assaulted her on March 15 and then, on March 17, pointed what appeared to be a 9 mm handgun at her and told her, “If I can’t have you, no one can.” These prior incidents are now part of the backdrop prosecutors are using to argue premeditation and a pattern of threats.
How the shooting unfolded
Police say video footage captured a man suddenly opening fire on Boyd and Ford as they walked side by side on the sidewalk. After the initial shots, the suspect—later identified as Pegues—reportedly stood over each victim and shot them again. Officers found both wounded on the ground near the intersection with multiple 9 mm cartridge casings around the scene. Boyd was pronounced dead at the spot; Ford was taken to a hospital but later died from his injuries.
Witness accounts and arrest
Witnesses told investigators that a man known as “RaRa” was Boyd’s ex‑boyfriend and was responsible for the murders. One witness explicitly said he saw “RaRa” shoot the two victims and later identified Pegues in a lineup as the man he meant. Police arrested Pegues, who was then held in jail on a $1 million bond and arraigned by video on Wednesday, facing charges of first‑degree murder, reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon, employing a firearm to commit a felony, and being a felon in possession of a firearm.
