Executive Summary
- Mother carjacked at a Memphis Burger King while children were in the vehicle.
- Victim suffered a broken ankle after being run over by the fleeing suspects.
- Antonio Alexander, 25, and Alexis Kearney, 31, were arrested and charged.
- Police recovered the stolen 2007 Ford Edge on Riverdale Road.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Two individuals have been taken into custody following a violent carjacking incident outside a fast-food restaurant on Monday night that left a mother injured and her children displaced from the vehicle, according to the Memphis Police Department (MPD).
The victim, identified as Kristin Gillia, reported to local media outlets that she had stopped at a Burger King on Winchester Road. She stated that she briefly re-entered the establishment to rectify a food order, leaving two of her three children inside her 2007 Ford Edge. According to police reports, two masked suspects approached the vehicle during this interval.
Witness accounts indicate that one of the children rushed into the restaurant to alert their mother that individuals were attempting to steal the vehicle. Police allege that the suspects forced the remaining children out of the SUV before fleeing the scene. During the escape, the suspects reportedly ran over Gillia’s foot with the vehicle. The victim confirmed she suffered a broken ankle and is currently wearing a medical boot.
Authorities located the stolen Ford Edge parked nearby on Riverdale Road. Law enforcement officers subsequently arrested Antonio Alexander, 25, and Alexis Kearney, 31. According to the MPD, Alexander has been charged with aggravated assault, auto theft, and theft of a firearm, while Kearney faces a charge of carjacking.
It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Public Safety Impact
This incident underscores the critical risks associated with crimes of opportunity targeting vehicles, particularly those briefly left running or occupied by minors. The rapid escalation from a theft of property to a violent encounter resulting in physical injury significantly alters the legal landscape for the accused. The swift apprehension of the suspects and recovery of the vehicle suggest effective immediate response protocols by local law enforcement, yet the event serves as a stark reminder for community vigilance regarding vehicle security in public spaces.
