15-year-old charged with murder in death of Mid-South pastor

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Memphis Police arrested two juveniles in connection with a deadly carjacking in Whitehaven on Monday, including a 15-year-old who is charged with First Degree Murder.

Police say 15-year-old Miguel Andrade and an unnamed 16-year-old are both charged in connection with the carjacking of Rev. Autura Eason-Williams, who was shot and killed during the crime.

Police say Eason-Williams was attacked in the driveway of her home on Whitehaven Lane around 4:10 p.m. Monday.

Police say video footage showed the suspects driving away in Eason-Williams’ vehicle, which was found wrecked at Lynchburg Street and Steuben Drive four hours later.

Just before midnight Monday, police were called to another carjacking on Hunters Rest. Shelby County Deputies spotted the vehicle taken in that crime just over an hour later and pursued the vehicle until it crashed on Larry Lane.

Three juveniles were taken into custody and questioned in connection with the carjacking and murder of Eason-Williams.

Andrade is charged with First Degree Murder, Murder in the Perpetration of a Robbery, Especially Aggravated Robbery, Carjacking, and Employment of a Firearm During a Dangerous Felony.

The 16-year-old male is charged with Theft of Property $2,500-$10,000. A 17-year-old male was released without charges.

Eason-Williams was a wife mom of four and a well-known church leader in the faith-based community.

In this tough time of grief and sorrow, her family says it is going to take prayers to move forward.

“She is a warm, loving person. You cannot come in contact with her not feeling her warm spirit, it’s impossible,” said Karen Camper Autura’s cousin

Reverend Dr. Autura Eason-Williams had a deep commitment to God. She served over a decades-long tenure at Capleville United Methodist Church and also the district superintendent for the Tennessee-Western Kentucky Conference.

“District superintendent is a big position for her to hold as a black female. She wasn’t the first, third, or the fourth but she held her job well,” said Rev. Martin McCain Grace United Methodist Church.

In a news conference Tuesday, Memphis Police Chief CJ Davis said the department is actively working with state and local officials on potentially tougher penalties for those convicted of crimes.

“Last year, with our state representatives supporting legislation that we feel will help move us in a right direction where individuals that are committing these crimes will have stiff penalties and will also help deter some of these crimes that we’re seeing,” said CJ Davis Memphis police chief.

Click here to sign up for our newsletter!

Click here to report a spelling or grammar error. Please include the headline.