Memphis woman allegedly fatally shot husband during fight over keys

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (TCD) -- A 44-year-old woman was arrested for allegedly shooting and killing her husband in front of their children this week while they argued over keys.

On the evening of Tuesday, May 21, Memphis Police Department officers received a call about a shooting on the 3300 block of Ardmore Street, and when they arrived, they found a male victim deceased from an apparent gunshot wound.

According to the criminal complaint, officers made contact with Elita Bean’s children, who said "their mother shot their father." Police went into the residence and found the victim, Terrence Bean, face-down on the kitchen floor with three spent shell casings near his body. Elita Bean was also in the kitchen, and she reportedly said she and her husband were "fighting over the gun, and the gun went off."

One of their children told investigators their parents "were arguing over keys." During the fight, Elita Bean allegedly attempted to stab her husband in the kitchen. Their argument moved into the bedroom, then back to the kitchen. The affidavit says the "fight escalated to defendant Elita Bean being on the ground and the victim without pants on."

Elita Bean allegedly asked the child to get her gun, and they reportedly took Terrence Bean’s gun and handed it to her, "telling her to shoot him." Elita Bean reportedly fired three shots.

The medical examiner noted Bean was struck in the lower left part of his chest, stabbed twice in the middle of his chest, and cut on his arm. Detectives reportedly located a knife in the garbage can.

Elita Bean was booked into the Shelby County Jail on a charge of second-degree murder.

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