One day after OUTMemphis shooting, she was arrested. Three months later, the DA said they had the wrong person.
Memphis police officers gather at OUTMemphis after two women were shot in the area on Tuesday, May 5, 2026. (Jody Callahan/The Daily Memphian file)
At first, OUTMemphis staffers and supporters were relieved that Memphis police arrested a suspect just one day after a May 5 double shooting at the nonprofit left two victims critically injured.
Memphis police arrested Aljon Tyler, a 29-year-old Black transgender woman, less than 24 hours after the shooting at the LGBTQ+ organization in Cooper-Young.
Tyler was arrested after both victims positively identified her. The victims, one of whom was shot in the neck and the other who was shot in the stomach, told police they knew the shooter, who went by the name “Jewel,” from the local homeless community and that they were positive Tyler was Jewel.
But after seeing the 29-year-old Tyler in court a couple of days after the arrest, people within the OUTMemphis community became “adamant” that the wrong person was in custody, said Sharon Morales, Tyler’s attorney.
This is an excerpt of this story. To read more, please click here and subscribe.
Topics
OUTMemphis 201 Poplar Aljon Tyler transgender Walter L. Bailey Jr. Criminal Justice Center Subscriber OnlyThank you for reading The Daily Memphian. Your support is critical.
Did you know we are a 501(c)3 nonprofit news organization? We rely on a mix of revenue from subscriptions (50%), advertising, events and other earned income (25%) and fundraising (25%).
Please consider making a fully tax-deductible donation or other contribution to The Daily Memphian today.
👉🏽 Your subscription pays for you to read all our journalism.
👉🏽 Your donation powers the work we do to reach everyone else with the news.
We believe an informed Memphis is a better Memphis. If you agree, join our growing list of donors now.
Jody Callahan
Jody Callahan graduated with degrees in journalism and economics from what is now known as the University of Memphis. He has covered news in Memphis for more than 25 years.
Public Safety on demand
Sign up to receive Public Safety stories as they’re published.
Enter your e-mail address
Comments
Want to comment on our stories? If you’re a subscriber, scroll down to the comments. If you’re not a subscriber, only paid subscribers can add their thoughts, so subscribe now. Our commenting policy can be viewed here.