Ezekiel Kelly Sentenced to Life in Prison for Tragic Memphis Shooting? Here's The Detail

Liputan6.com, Jakarta Ezekiel Kelly, a 19-year-old man at the time, came into the public spotlight after being involved in a series of deadly shootings in Memphis, Tennessee, United States, on September 7, 2022.

This horrific incident not only claimed three lives and injured three others, but was also broadcast live on Facebook Live.

Kelly's brutal actions sparked widespread chaos in the city of Memphis, forcing authorities to issue a "shelter-in-place" order.

Memphis' public bus system was shut down, two university campuses were locked down, and minor league baseball games were canceled in response to the threat posed.

Prior to his arrest, Kelly was also known to have hijacked at least two vehicles.

In August 2025, Ezekiel Kelly's case reached a significant turning point.

He pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and dozens of other charges in a Memphis court.

The shooting of Ezekiel Kelly on September 7, 2022, rocked the city of Memphis with its widespread impact.

Three victims have been identified: Dewayne Tunstall, Richard Clark, and Allison Parker.

Richard Clark was a campus security officer at Christian Brothers University, while Allison Parker was a mother of three and a medical assistant.

The livestreaming of the shooting on Facebook Live gives the psychological impact, allowing many to witness the horror firsthand.

This incident highlighted the dangers of misusing social media to spread violence.

In addition to the shooting, Kelly was also involved in a carjacking, adding to his list of serious crimes.

Before the 2022 shooting, Ezekiel Kelly had a significant criminal history.

In February 2020, at the age of 17, he was charged as an adult with attempted first-degree murder and other offenses related to two separate shootings that occurred within hours of each other.

Although both victims survived, they refused to cooperate with prosecutors, complicating the legal process.

Kelly later pleaded guilty to a lesser charge, aggravated assault, in April 2021.

He was sentenced to three years in prison but was released after serving just over two years, including time served for his pre-pleasure detention.

This acquittal raised questions about the effectiveness of the justice system in preventing re-offending.

In the Memphis shooting, Ezekiel Kelly faces nearly 30 serious charges, including three counts of first-degree murder, attempted murder, reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon, and committing an act of terrorism.

Update: Ezekiel Kelly was sentenced to three consecutive life sentences with no parole plus an additional 221 years. Kelly said the day of the shooting was “the darkest point in my life” and that being incarcerated has given him a new perspective. https://t.co/pg0qKQhWPB pic.twitter.com/OlhOUcwmsq

— The Daily Memphian (@DailyMemphian) August 13, 2025

On August 13, 2025, Ezekiel Kelly's case reached a significant conclusion when he pleaded guilty to first-degree murder and two dozen other charges in a Memphis court.

This guilty plea was part of a plea deal with prosecutors, effectively sparing him a lengthy trial and the possibility of the death penalty.

Kelly cried and wiped his eyes with a tissue as the relative of a victim gave a statement in court. Kelly then said there was nothing he could say to give shooting victims and their families closure.

Shelby County Judge James Jones Jr. sentenced him to three consecutive life sentences without parole, plus 221 years in prison, as per the agreement.

This sentence ensures that Ezekiel Kelly will spend the rest of his life behind bars, without the possibility of release.

“He’s truly sorry for what he’s done,” said Michael Scholl, Kelly’s lawyer, while speaking with reporters after the hearing.

Kelly himself told the court that he was in the "darkest place of his life" at the time of the shooting and begged for forgiveness.