Woman Allegedly Shoots Father of Her 3 Children After Dispute Over Keys, Police Say
Elita Bean has been charged with second-degree murder after allegedly fatally shooting the father of her three children
Shelby County Jail
Elita BeanA Memphis mother of three has been arrested and charged after allegedly shooting and killing the father of her three children after an argument over keys, according to Action News 5, Fox 13 Memphis and WREG.
On Tuesday, May 21, around 10 p.m. local time, the Memphis Police Department was called to a home on Ardmore Street after shots were fired, according to a court affidavit obtained by Fox 13.
Once officers arrived, children who were outside the home told police their mother, Elita Bean, had shot their father, Terrence Bean. When authorities entered the house, Elita was in the kitchen and Terrence was on the floor. Elita told police she and Terrence were tussling over the firearm when it went off, according to court documents.
Related: UPS Driver Shot 14 Times By Childhood Friend and Coworker, District Attorney Says
Getty
Stock image of police tapeOne child told investigators at the home that their parents had a dispute over keys. They said Elita allegedly took a knife and attempted to stab Terrence while in the kitchen. The child said Terrence then grabbed the gun, handed it to Elita, and allegedly told her to "shoot him," the affidavit notes.
The affidavit adds that investigators noticed Terrence's right middle finger and left forearm had been cut. Elita was arrested after being treated at the hospital for shoulder pain.
Elita allegedly shot the father of her children three times. He was pronounced dead at the scene after the Memphis Fire Department arrived, Action News 5 reports.
A large knife was found in a trash can inside the garage, and a 9mm handgun was recovered inside a bedroom. Elita was allegedly too intoxicated to share a detailed statement with authorities, according to WREG.
“It’s painful to hear that somebody being on drugs, or doped up or smoking or whatever and drinking, that’s what I feel like opens the door to crime, you know, people don’t think about having a gun, being drunk. You kill somebody,” a neighbor told WREG.
Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for PEOPLE's free True Crime newsletter for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases.
Elita was charged with second-degree murder. Her court date is scheduled for Friday, May 24, court docs note, according to Fox 13.
The Memphis Police Department shared a brief statement on the incident via X (formerly Twitter), writing, "On May 21, 2024, at 10:09 p.m., officers responded to the 3300 Block of Ardmore Street regarding a shooting. Officers located a male victim with an apparent gunshot wound. He was pronounced deceased on the scene."
It added that it "is an ongoing investigation," and asked those with information to call 901-528-CASH W/TIPS.
Memphis Police did not immediately respond to PEOPLE's request for comment.
For more People news, make sure to sign up for our newsletter!
Read the original article on People.
