A routine Saturday night in Memphis turned deadly for 32-year-old Michael Birdsong Jr. on February 20, 2021. An altercation at the Walgreens at Poplar and Cleveland involved Birdsong and a store security guard, Devin Mitchell. Police reports say Mitchell told Birdsong to leave, an argument followed, and Birdsong allegedly put his hands in his waistband. Mitchell later told investigators he believed Birdsong was reaching for a weapon, although he admitted he did not see a firearm. Mitchell fired his weapon, striking Birdsong in the face. Birdsong was taken to a nearby hospital and died of his injuries.

Devin Mitchell was arrested and charged with second-degree murder; bond was set at $250,000. On March 5, 2021, the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office announced the murder charge was being dropped, concluding the shooting was justified and dismissing the case.

Does anyone have information about what led to the confrontation at the Walgreens that night?