Phillip Jackson

Memphis Commercial Appeal

Yolanda Stripling got a call from her granddaughter Thursday night.

"Grandma," the 8-year-old girl said. "He killed my mama."

The call she got from the young girl was her first notification that her daughter, LaTarica Stripling, had been shot.

Later, the grandmother said, she learned the 8-year-old saw the killing — at one point, jumping in front of her mother before she was shot. A 3-year-old was also near the shooting scene sitting in a car seat, Yolanda Stripling said.

"It's difficult, she is definitely going to have counseling because she seen it," she said.

"(The 8-year-old) tried to jump in front of her mom and he pushed her away. She has a bruise on her hand. He pushed her away so he could shoot her."

Yolanda Stripling said LaTarica Stripling was visiting her sister at the time.

When police arrived to 43 Muddy River Lane, LaTarica Stripling was pronounced dead on the scene, according to MPD.

Memphis police later announced a search warrant had been issued for Michael McKinnie on suspicion of first-degree murder, reckless endangerment and being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun.

Police said McKinnie left the shooting scene in a four-door white sedan going southbound on Kentucky Street to eastbound on Virginia Avenue, according to a Facebook post.

The mourning process

On Friday, there was a large gathering of family members outside of Yolanda Stripling's home where she and others were mourning the death of her daughter.

As kids were running and playing outside, Yolanda Stripling sat in the garage entrance with other family members at her side.

She said it gave her strength.

"This is what I need, I need people around me. To be alone, I don't think I could pull it through, but with everybody being around it's easier," she said.

LaTarica Stripling started working as a hair stylist at least five years ago, according to her mother. She owned Thread Hair Salon, along with clothing company Thread Collection.

"She set a legacy for young people," said Yolanda Stripling. "She did not go to college, she did go to beauty school. She showed that whatever you want to be you could be it, and she proved it."

A vigil was held for Stripling Tuesday where at least 200 people gathered outside of her Thread Salon business in Hickory Hill on 5910 Mt. Moriah Rd.

People held candles and sang hymns as they reflected on the life Stripling had in Memphis.

Stephanie Birdo, 52, was a customer of LaTarica Stripling's mother. She said Yolanda Stipling did her hair for over 20 years.

"She graduated school with my daughter," said Birdo. "That's how I met her mom, through her and my daughter. That's what brought me out and I wouldn't have missed it for anything in the world."

History of domestic violence

Police records show McKinnie has a history of domestic violence involving LaTarica Stripling.

According to an affidavit from Sept. 10, 2017, MPD responded to a domestic violence call where Stripling told police she was choked by McKinnie.

In that incident, McKinnie allegedly grabbed Stripling by her neck and said: "I told you I was going to kill you today."

Stripling was unconscious for 15 minutes afterward, according to the affidavit.