Man Indicted in Shooting Death of Frayser Grandmother

May 3, 2021 – A 37-year-old man has been indicted on first-degree murder charges for alleging shooting at several people and killing an innocent bystander – a woman holding her grandson - last year in Frayser, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

Defendant Darrell Peterson also faces felony counts of attempted first-degree murder, employment of a firearm in the commission of a dangerous felony, and convicted felon in possession of a firearm.

He is being held on $100,000 bond.

Investigators said a group of women was involved in an altercation the afternoon of May 16 last year in the 4000 block of Knob Drive in Frayser when two of them began smashing windows at one residence. Some in the group also had bats and knives.

Moments later, investigators said, Peterson drove up, shouted at some in the crowd and then fired several shots. Patricia Draper Bryant, 55, who was in her yard two houses away and holding her baby grandson, was struck in the chest. She died later at a hospital.

An argument that began on Facebook led to the altercation which was streamed live on the social media site.

Two others indicted in the case include Peterson’s sister, 20-year-old Bernautica McClure, who was dressed in a black security guard uniform, and 29-year-old Debra Prettie. Both were indicted on counts of vandalism over $1,000 for alleging smashing windows at a residence during the altercation.

The case is being handled by Asst. Dist. Atty. Jimmy Thomas of the District Attorney’s Special Prosecution Unit (SPU) in Criminal Court Division 8. The SPU seeks maximum sentencing for repeat felony offenders.