Former Dollar Tree employee indicted, charged with murder of suspected shoplifter

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — MEMPHIS, Tenn. – A grand jury in Tennessee indicted a former Dollar Tree employee Thursday on a murder charge after authorities said she shot and killed a suspected shoplifter, WHBQ-TV reported.

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Investigators said that on the afternoon of July 22, Ashley Croom, 32, followed Dewaynne Reed, 27, out of a Dollar Tree on South Third Street, according to Shelby County District Attorney General Amy Weirich. Croom confronted Reed about items he had allegedly taken from the store without paying, before pulling out a handgun and shooting him twice, Weirich said. Croom then grabbed the merchandise that Reed had allegedly stolen and went back into the store, according to WHBQ.

Last year, a witness told investigators that she was checking out from the store when she saw Croom follow Reed into the parking lot, WHBQ reported. The witness said she heard two gunshots and saw Croom walk back into the store while putting a black gun in her pants, according to the news station, prompting authorities to arrest Croom on suspicion of second-degree murder.

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In an affidavit obtained by WHBQ, officials said Croom admitted to shooting Reed in the parking lot.

Croom faces one count of second-degree murder. She was being held Friday on a $250,000 bond, officials said.

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