MEMPHIS — A video has been released showing the final moments leading up to the fatal shooting of Pastor Ricky Floyd, who was killed outside of a bar in Memphis after an altercation.
The video, which was aired Friday on local news station WREG, does not show the entire confrontation, including the part showing what police said was Floyd backing away from the shooter with his hands up before he was fatally shot. The person recording the video is behind a white SUV that was driving away. Floyd can be seen exiting the white SUV and apparently pulling at his unbuckled pants as he gets out and begins walking toward the person recording the video.
A woman can be heard in the video warning Floyd to back away from her as someone else tries to intervene.
Police arrested 42-year-old Samantha Marion and charged her with voluntary manslaughter in connection with the shooting.
Floyd, who was pastor of Pursuit of God Church in Frayser and known to local political leaders, including Memphis’ new mayor Paul Young, who released a statement after news of Floyd’s death was released.
The District Attorney recused himself from the case this week because of his relationship with Floyd, handing over the case to another prosecutor.
The shooting of Floyd has garnered nationwide attention and the fallout has led to tensions in the local community where Floyd was respected for his ministry’s outreach, including feeding the community and helping former inmates get their lives back on track. Floyd was also an activist against gun violence.
Last week, faith leaders who knew Floyd appealed to the tightly-knit community to not fuel speculation about what happened before the shooting, adding that there was an investigation ongoing.
Marion made her first court appearance last week. She was behind bars for several days after a judge set her bond to $100,000. She pleaded not guilty.
Per WREG, Marion made bond this week and is now represented by attorneys John Keith Perry and Kevin Massey.
Attorneys for Marion told WREG the shooting happened after an altercation in the bar that started over an argument about religion. The altercation spilled outside and one person tried to intervene. Floyd began driving away when Marion used her cellphone to record Floyd’s license plate. Floyd then got out and started approaching Marion.
“The video does not capture the gunfire that would have taken place, probably maybe three or four seconds later, but it clearly shows him approaching her aggressively after being told several times to stop, and that he should not be, you know, walking up on her like that,” Perry told WREG.
Marion’s attorneys told WREG the shooting of Floyd was self-defense, and they believe the case has become political, adding that people who have committed more serious offenses have received lower bail.
BLKNewsNow.com will continue to follow this story.
