Chanteva Gray, a 28-year-old Black woman, was killed in the early hours of Monday, March 13, 2023, in Memphis, Tennessee. The fatal encounter took place at a McDonald's in the city's Orange Mound neighborhood, located near the intersection of Airways Boulevard and Lamar Avenue.
An altercation reportedly began between Gray, who was a customer, and an employee working at the restaurant. The dispute, which sources said was over a food order, tragically escalated. During the confrontation, gunfire erupted, and Gray was struck by a gunshot to the chest. Emergency responders pronounced her dead at the scene.
Police arrived and began their investigation into the shooting. As part of their work, a gray sedan that was parked next to the pickup window was towed from the scene. Soon after the incident, authorities arrested a suspect, 36-year-old Preston Deener, who was an employee at the McDonald's.
He was charged with second-degree murder in connection with Chanteva Gray's death.
Following the shooting, the McDonald's corporate office released a statement expressing sorrow for the tragedy and confirming its cooperation with the police investigation. The case took a significant turn two months later. In May 2023, all charges against Preston Deener were dropped. As of that date, no other arrests have been announced, and the homicide of Chanteva Gray remains unsolved.
