A Tennessee woman, aged 29, was apprehended over the weekend on charges of allegedly murdering her former boyfriend’s roommate. The victim was shot multiple times in what law enforcement officials believe to be a tragic case of mistaken identity. The accused, Kiauna Newsom, was charged with first-degree murder in the death of George Harris, as per court documents.
The Memphis Police Department responded to a shooting report outside a residence on Apple Blossom Drive around 1:53 p.m. on Saturday, March 2. Upon arrival, they found an unresponsive Harris in a parked Chevy Malibu, apparently suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Four bullet holes were visible on the driver’s side door of the car. Harris was rushed to Regional One Health, where he was later pronounced dead.
Investigation led to the discovery of surveillance footage from a nearby camera, which allegedly captured the fatal shooting. The video reportedly showed a gray Nissan Altima with distinctive body damage trailing the Malibu shortly before the shooting. The driver of the Altima, identified as an adult female wearing a white V-neck T-shirt, was later identified as Newsom.
Harris’ roommate, who is also Newsom’s ex-boyfriend, was interviewed by the police. He claimed ownership of the Malibu and stated that he had lent the car to Harris shortly before the incident. He also expressed his belief that he was the intended target and Harris was mistakenly identified as him.
The ex-boyfriend recounted an argument he had with Newsom at a store at Kirby and Shelby Drive. After leaving the store, he went home and lent his car to Harris. Shortly after, he received a call informing him of Harris’ shooting. Surveillance footage from the store confirmed that Newsom was wearing a white V-neck shirt and driving a gray Nissan shortly before the murder.
Police visited Newsom’s residence on Germantown Road and found a Nissan with the same distinctive body damage parked in the driveway. Surveillance footage from the residence showed Newsom returning home around 2:06 p.m. on the day of the shooting. She was taken into custody the following day and agreed to speak with investigators.
Newsom confessed to driving the Nissan and searching for her ex-boyfriend’s vehicle with a man known as “Boogie”. She admitted that they found the vehicle, pulled up alongside it, and “Boogie” fired multiple shots into the Malibu before they fled the scene. Newsom identified “Boogie” as Justin Howard from a photo lineup. A warrant has been issued for Howard’s arrest, but he remains at large. Newsom is currently being held without bond in the Shelby County Jail and is due in court on Tuesday.