Teen Indicted in Pot-Deal Shooting Death

May 3, 2021 – A 19-year-old man has been indicted in the shooting death of a West Memphis teen and the wounding of his friend who had travelled to Memphis hoping to purchase marijuana, said Shelby County Dist. Atty. Gen. Amy Weirich.

A grand jury indicted defendant Kenneth Givens on counts of first-degree murder, and two counts each of attempted first-degree murder and employment of a firearm in the commission of a dangerous felony.

The incident occurred on Sept. 15 last year in the parking lot of an apartment building on North Merton Street in Binghampton where the two victims and a companion had driven to purchase marijuana, investigators said.

Givens approached their car, but after a brief discussion he ordered them to leave after they allegedly tried to pay him with fake money. Givens then fired at their vehicle as they drove away, striking two passengers in the backs of their heads.

Antoine Sims, 18, died of his wounds two days later in a hospital. A 20-year-old companion in the car was less seriously injured and was later discharged. Givens was developed as a suspect and was arrested on Dec. 15.

The case is being handled by Chief Prosecutor Kirby May of the District Attorney’s Vertical Team 5 which handles cases in General Sessions Division 13 and in Criminal Court Division 9.