John Engram dies in fatal Shelby County shooting
Fatal Shelby County shooting death of John Engram
John Engram was pronounced dead following injuries sustained during an incident reported on Interstate 240, according to law enforcement authorities. The fatal shooting occurred early Sunday morning, June 22, near the Airways Boulevard exit in the eastbound direction of the highway.
Robert Hudson, 29, faces second-degree murder charges in connection with Engram’s death, as reported by the Memphis Police Department. The man who succumbed to his injuries was identified as John Engram.
The incident began with Hudson contacting the group, which included Engram and two women, according to court documents. The women’s vehicle had departed Beale Street after attending an “after-hours party.” Following a disagreement, the women became involved in an altercation, reportedly stemming from one woman’s concern that the other had not disclosed their itinerary due to apprehension regarding Hudson.
This confrontation led to the driver pulling their vehicle over on the shoulder of the interstate. Court documents indicate Hudson utilized his phone to determine their location before parking adjacent to their car. He then exited his vehicle and removed one of the women from the car by her hair, an action that reportedly resulted in Engram striking Hudson.
One of the women allegedly observed Hudson discharge his weapon towards Engram. After the shooting, Hudson departed the scene but returned approximately five minutes later without his firearm. Hudson subsequently informed authorities that he had fired two shots in self-defense after being struck, claiming that a struggle ensued during which a gun fell from his pocket and discharged. Memphis Police noted inconsistencies in his account, including the absence of explanation for four shell casings found at the scene and the disappearance of his weapon. Additionally, the police department observed no signs of gunpowder residue on Engram’s clothing at the chest wound location.
An investigation revealed that Hudson was on bond for a previous shooting incident at the time of this alleged offense. Court records from 2023 show Hudson was charged with two counts of aggravated assault. In April of that year, police reported Hudson discharged his weapon at multiple individuals in a neighborhood, though all victims survived and one successfully identified Hudson. Despite posting a $10,000 bond, Hudson remains at liberty.
The surviving victim of the 2023 incident did not provide testimony in the current case. The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office maintains custody records and is continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding Engram’s death.
