Durrell Mickens Charged with First-Degree Murder in Shooting Death of Stepfather, Dedrick Campbell, Over Argument About a Gun

SHAME: Durrell J. Mickens, 17, fatally shot his stepfather, Dedrick Campbell, 45, because he wanted a stainless steel revolver back that his mother and Campbell had taken away on Sept. 30th. Mickens has been charged with first-degree murder and burglary and was booked into the Shelby County Jail on Wednesday, according to the Commercial Appeal. He is being held without bond.

The court document offers this description of events:

Mickens’ mother, Daphanie Mickens, and Campbell took a Smith & Wesson revolver from the 17-year-old about 7 a.m. at their home at 6780 Shoreline Circle.

Mickens left about 11 a.m., returned about 1 p.m. and demanded that Campbell return the gun. When the stepfather refused, Mickens shot him in the leg with a semiautomatic handgun. Campbell was pronounced dead about 2:45 p.m. at Methodist Le Bonheur Germantown Hospital.

His mother witnessed the shooting and then heard her son’s voice and a second shot after she ran inside to call 911. The Smith & Wesson had been reported stolen Sept. 9 in a burglary from a vehicle in a garage. Source

I recall when I was growing up, whatever my parents said, I obeyed, whether or not I agreed. This is a disgrace and this young man had no business fatally shooting his stepfather because they wouldn't allow him to have his way. The parents were doing the right thing, by putting their feet down, but no, he just couldn't obey them. Lock him up and throw away the key.