John Red Robert Materna was a familiar figure at the corner of Homer Street and Wayne Avenue in Memphis, Tennessee, where he sold fruit from the back of his truck for about 30 years. The 76-year-old, known as The Watermelon Man, was shot in the stomach during a robbery on the morning of May 15, 2023. He was taken to hospital in critical condition and died of his wounds on May 29, 2023.

Police say two people pulled up in a silver Infiniti and got out to rob Materna; he was armed and fired back, but it is unknown whether the assailants were hit. A 15-year-old, Demarion Tackett, was arrested and charged with first-degree murder, murder in the perpetration of a felony especially aggravated robbery, and employment of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony. He was ordered to be tried as an adult and was initially released on bond, later failing to appear for a hearing and then being located and taken into custody.

The neighborhood held a candlelight vigil and created a memorial at the corner where Materna had worked for decades. If anyone knew Materna or witnessed the shooting, please share information that could help the investigation.