Lorenzo Miller, 22, faces charges of attempted first-degree murder after allegedly shooting his roommate at least six times during a dispute over unpaid rent in Memphis, Tennessee. The incident occurred on Friday at an apartment on the 2100 block of Parkhurst Court. The victim was hospitalized in critical condition.
The altercation began when Miller and his roommate argued about the roommate not paying his portion of the rent, according to an affidavit reviewed by authorities. Miller's girlfriend was present at the apartment. Miller allegedly retrieved a black Taurus handgun from the roommate's bedroom and blocked the door, refusing to let the roommate leave as the argument continued, the affidavit states. The roommate punched Miller in the face while Miller pointed the gun at him, prompting Miller to fire shots into the roommate's stomach, twice in the shoulder, once in the leg, and at least twice more after the victim fell to the floor, officials said. Memphis Police Department officers responded to the scene and found the victim, who appeared to have been shot at least six times. He was rushed to a nearby hospital in critical condition. Officers arrested Miller, who was in the breezeway of the apartment building. They located the black Taurus 9 mm handgun outside near the fence line. Miller's girlfriend identified him as the shooter, and Miller confessed to shooting the victim after being assaulted by him, investigators reported. The following day, the victim identified Miller in a six-person photo lineup as his roommate and the shooter. Miller faces charges including attempted first-degree murder, employing a firearm during a felony, tampering with or fabricating evidence, and especially aggravated kidnapping. He is due to appear in court on Tuesday.