Memphis ‘career criminal’ accused of killing 2 and setting victim’s SUV on fire

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (TCD) — Police arrested a man this week on suspicion of fatally shooting two people and setting a vehicle on fire.

According to a news release from the Memphis Police Department, on Feb. 4, at around 3:21 p.m., officers responded to the 2300 block of Douglas Avenue, where they found 33-year-old Decarlos Sanders dead with an apparent gunshot wound. Investigators suspected Sanders had been placed there after his death.

Two days later, at approximately 12:20 p.m., officers went to the same location and found a completely burnt Mazda SUV that belonged to 39-year-old Labarbara Bryson. Police learned Bryson hadn’t been seen since Feb. 2.

On Feb. 25, shortly after 8:30 a.m., officers responded to the area of Jonah Avenue and Huguenot Street, where they found Bryson with an apparent gunshot wound. She was pronounced dead at the scene.

Investigators allege Michael Wolfe fatally shot the two victims. According to police, both Bryson and Sanders were last seen with Wolfe on Feb. 2 riding in the recovered Mazda SUV. Investigators obtained surveillance footage that revealed Wolfe driving the vehicle shortly before it was seen burning.

Homicide investigators arrested Wolfe on Feb. 27 on two counts of first-degree murder, two counts of murder in perpetration of a felony, two counts of especially aggravated robbery, convicted felon in possession of a handgun, tampering with/fabricating evidence, and arson. Wolfe remains held in the Shelby County Jail without bond.

Officers noted that Wolfe has an “extensive violent criminal history dating back to 2003.”

In 2013, Wolfe was charged with aggravated robbery, aggravated burglary, convicted felon in possession of a handgun, and employment of a firearm during a dangerous felony. He was convicted in August 2014 and sentenced to 12 years in the Tennessee Department of Corrections. According to police, Wolfe was released in September 2023 after serving 10 years.

MORE: