Authorities say a Memphis man shot his wife in the stomach, then drove her to the hospital — but not before allegedly stopping to buy a beer on the way.
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A man from Tennessee is now in jail after allegedly shooting his wife and only taking her to the hospital after a delay — one that investigators claim included a stop for alcohol.
Law enforcement in the Volunteer State says the delay could have put her life at even greater risk.
Police have identified the suspect as 51-year-old Decarlo Pitchford. According to Shelby County court documents, he is facing several serious charges: attempted second-degree murder, domestic assault, being a felon in possession of a firearm, and theft of property valued between $1,000 and $2,500.
Officials say the shooting took place on July 19 at a home on Fostoria Road, located in the West Junction neighborhood of southwest Memphis.
Prosecutors allege the trouble began with a heated verbal argument between Pitchford and his wife.
At some point, she reportedly decided to leave the home to avoid further conflict.
However, investigators say Pitchford blocked her from getting out, a claim made by the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office.
Decarlo Pitchford, 51, allegedly stopped for a beer while driving his wife, who he shot, to the hospital.
Shelby County Sheriff's Office
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According to a complaint affidavit obtained by Law&Crime, the situation escalated quickly. In the middle of the confrontation, a round from a 9mm Ruger handgun was fired.
"I told you to stop playing with me," the defendant allegedly told his wife right as he pulled the trigger, according to the DA’s office and Memphis CBS affiliate WREG.
Officials say the shot struck the woman in the abdomen, causing serious injury.
After the shooting, Pitchford reportedly put his wounded wife in his Dodge Ram and began driving to Methodist University Hospital.
But according to the affidavit, he wasn’t rushing to get there.
Investigators allege that during the drive, he stopped along the way to buy a beer before continuing on to the hospital.
Earlier this week, the district attorney’s office featured Pitchford and the allegations against him as their "Case of the Day" in a Facebook press release.
This announcement came after a judge reviewed the case and ruled there was probable cause to proceed with the charges.
Police had initially responded to the couple’s home after receiving a report of a shooting. When they arrived, they found that Pitchford had "made a forced entry into the residence, but the house was empty," according to the affidavit.
Not long afterward, officers were notified that the shooting victim had been located at a nearby hospital.
"In a statement to officers, [the wife] reported that she and her husband, defendant Decarlo Pitchford, had a verbal argument," the affidavit states. "She attempted to leave the home with her belongings, but defendant Decarlo Pitchford became aggressive and tried to prevent her from leaving. She stated that he had a black handgun in his possession throughout the argument. As she walked near the bathroom, Defendant Decarlo Pitchford stood in the hallway, pointed the handgun, and fired one round, striking her in the abdomen. She stated that the shooting was intentional, despite the suspect claiming it was an accident."
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Authorities say that after being read his Miranda rights, Pitchford admitted to having the firearm despite being a convicted felon.
He also allegedly "advised his gun was jammed and he was trying to clear it, and it went off accidentally shooting his wife," according to the affidavit.