Memphis Man Facing Federal Firearms Charge After Weekend Assault in Broadway Entertainment District
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – September 11, 2019 –Pasquala Deshun Walls, 30, of Memphis, Tennessee, was charged yesterday with being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, announced U.S. Attorney Don Cochran for the Middle District of Tennessee.
According to the criminal complaint, Walls was the driver of a Chrysler 300 and was reported to be driving erratically and displaying a handgun as he drove through the downtown entertainment district in the early morning hours of September 7, 2019. The area was packed with pedestrians and vehicular traffic at the time. Metro Nashville police officers located the vehicle and ordered Walls out of the car, at which time he accelerated and began crossing traffic lanes and ramming other cars. Metro police officers continued their attempts to stop the car and clear pedestrians from its path. At one point, officers were forced to jump out of the way to avoid being struck and one officer was pulled to the ground by the vehicle. This officer fired two shots at the vehicle as it continued on Broadway for several blocks before Walls jumped from the vehicle and ran. Walls was then chased and captured by citizens and held until he was taken into police custody. A 9mm pistol with an extended magazine, loaded with 26 rounds of ammunition was recovered from the floorboard of Walls’ car.
Walls was previously convicted of felony controlled substance crimes in Shelby County Tennessee and is prohibited from possessing a firearm.
If convicted, Walls faces up to 10 years in prison.
This case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms & Explosives and is being prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Rob McGuire.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation and is not evidence of guilt. The defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
# # # # #
