Nationwide — A tragic case in Memphis, Tennessee, is shedding light on the alarming frequency of domestic abuse, even among dating partners. Tajee Turnage, a local man, has been arrested and charged with first-degree murder after allegedly shooting and killing his roommate’s boyfriend, 32-year-old Timothy Echols, during a violent domestic incident.
According to the Memphis Police Department, officers responded to a report of a shooting on Sunday and found Echols near a set of railroad tracks suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. He was transported to a nearby hospital, where he later died from his injuries. Turnage was still at the scene when officers arrived and immediately cooperated with law enforcement.
Court documents reveal that the incident began when Turnage received a FaceTime call from his female roommate, who was being assaulted by her boyfriend, Echols. According to WLBT, during the call, Turnage told police he witnessed Echols physically attacking her and also saw him retrieve one of Turnage’s firearms from his bedroom. Fearing for her safety, Turnage rushed to the apartment complex.
Upon arrival, Turnage reportedly encountered Echols holding the firearm. According to the affidavit, Turnage then opened fire, striking Echols multiple times. He later waived his Miranda rights and gave a full statement to investigators, admitting to the shooting and detailing the events that led to it.
This case is a stark reminder of how common domestic violence is, even in non-marital relationships. According to national data, nearly 1 in 3 women and 1 in 4 men have experienced some form of physical violence by an intimate partner. Abuse between dating partners—often overlooked or minimized—is disturbingly prevalent and can escalate quickly into life-threatening situations.
Turnage is now facing a first-degree murder charge, and the investigation remains ongoing. Authorities have not yet announced whether any additional charges will be filed in connection with the domestic violence incident itself.