Outside of Yo Gotti’s restaurant, Privé, which he is the co-owner of, was the location where two suspects got arrested for a shootout, resulting in two dead and five others shot, including one woman.
Sources are saying a shootout occurred on March 30 at a nearby parking Yo Gotti’s eatery uses. Two groups on opposing sides were fighting over a woman, in particular, an unrelated incident that, “stemmed from an altercation that started inside the club.”
The club was on Hickory Hill, and it shared a parking lot with Privé, The Commercial Appeal reported.
Seven people were shot that day. Two of the victims died from the incident, WREG reported.
One of the suspects, invited by a witness, was caught by the Memphis Police Department (MPD) said. The witness’s report led police to the arrest of Damone Joseph Sykes for allegedly getting involved in the shootout at Privé – around 40 bullets had been fired.
Sykes, dressed in orange that day, reportedly made him an easy mark to spot. He is being charged with criminal attempt felony, first-degree murder, possession of a firearm/dangerous felony, and robbery, according to Memphis Police.
MPD Deputy Chief Paul Wright said the other suspect, who is arrested, is just being charged with first-degree murder.
In a statement prepared by lawyer Arthur Horne, who represents Yo Gotti and his mother, the other owner, the family restaurant has never experienced like this in its 10 years of operation, The Charlette Observer reported.
“On behalf of Privé, they’ve been in business for ten years, and nothing like this has ever happened at their establishment,” Horne told WREG.
Horne also defended the owners, saying the dispute took place outside of the establishment and had nothing to do with business because it was closing.
“Nothing happened inside the restaurant. Despite any conflicting reports, they were closing, and this happened at the end of the evening in the parking lot,” he told WREG.
There is also a lack of any evidence to suggest the shootout was directed at the restaurant or if there were any threats, according to authorities.
Yo Gotti has yet to make a statement on the matter.
Victim Terrial Alexander was riddled with gunshot wounds and died on the scene. An unidentified man was rushed to Regional One Hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries and passed away.
The names of the five surviving were not released, but police said the male victims were ages 37, 35, 31, and 30, and the female victim was 25 years old.
