Teen charged in ‘Watermelon Man’ killing to be tried as adult

Autumn Scott
·1 min read
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MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A teen accused of killing a beloved watermelon vendor during an attempted robbery last year will be tried as an adult.

Demarion Tackett, 16, is charged with first-degree murder in the death of John Materna, also known as the Watermelon Man. Tackett was transferred from Juvenile Court to the Shelby County Jail Wednesday, according to online records.

15-year-old charged in fatal shooting of ‘watermelon man’ John Materna, police say

Police say Materna was selling watermelons at the corner of Homer Street and Wayne Avenue when he was shot on May 15, 2023. He passed away two weeks later after he was taken off life support.

Watermelon man dies weeks after he was shot by robbers, friend confirms

Materna had been selling his watermelons in Memphis for decades.

Tackett was 15 years old when he was arrested for the shooting. He is also charged with especially aggravated robbery, aggravated robbery, and employment of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony.

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