The fiancée of a mother of three who was shot nearly 20 times by Tennessee officers has slammed the department for not charging the police who killed her.
Melissa Horton, 43, was driving her white SUV on Ellis Road in Bartlett, Tennessee, on March 20 when she was waved down by police. She obeyed, but then seemed to try to take off again.
When she was finally contained, the officers approached her vehicle, shouted and shot her multiple times. Horton died at the scene.
Gruesome bodycam footage from multiple angles shows the officers firing a barrage of bullets that hit the mother through the driver’s seat window.
Melissa Horton, 43, was driving her white SUV on Ellis Road in Bartlett, Tennessee, on March 20 when she was waved down by police. She obeyed, but then seemed to try to take off again
Gruesome multi-angle bodycam footage shows officers unleashing a barrage of bullets hitting the mother through the driver’s seat window
Her heartbroken fiancé, Preston Morris, was furious when he found out that District Attorney Steve Mulroy would not charge the police – because Horton himself was armed in the car.
The reason Horton was stopped by police was because Morris called them earlier that day to report that the mother had pointed a gun at him during a domestic dispute over her drinking problems.
Morris said, “To shoot her 15 to 16 times, a mother of three beautiful children, a 43-year-old woman, and just shoot her like she’s some crazy convict who just robbed a bank, like my goodness.
“They didn’t have to go in and shoot her like a dog.
“That’s the only thing that bothers me.”
District Attorney Mulroy said Horton pulled a gun on Shelby County deputies after she was pulled over.
He said, “The video shows that unfortunately she raised a shotgun and pointed it at one of the deputies, so she was armed, and that was one of the main reasons why we decided criminal charges were brought against the officers or the deputies . not justified.’
In the footage, the deputy can be heard shouting, “Get out of the truck. Get the fuck out of the truck. Get this damn truck out.”
Another shouts, “Show me your hands.”
Morris (left), her fiancé, said of the officers who shot her: “I think they’re going to have to live with that for the rest of their lives and I think that’s going to be punishment enough because I know they can’t sleep at night, those two who shot her
Melissa Horton (far right) with her three daughters
The reason Horton was stopped by police was because Morris called them earlier that day to report that the mother had pointed a gun at him during a domestic dispute over her drinking problems.
Morris, her fiancé, said of the officers who shot her: “I think they’re going to have to live with that for the rest of their lives and I think that’s going to be punishment enough because I know they can’t sleep at night.” . , those two who shot her.”
A friend of Melissa’s wrote on social media after her death: ‘My family and I would like to extend our condolences and prayers to the family and dear children of Melissa Shamburger Horton, in the tragic circumstances surrounding her death.
“Our promise from God is that we will soon live in a world without pain, death, or evil and share His love for one another forever.”
Another said, “Praying for Melissa Shamburger Horton’s family.
‘3 beautiful little girls who lost their mother too soon. She was always so nice when I went to pageants with them. Praying that God will give them peace. Tear Melissa.”
A third said: ‘My heart goes out to her children who she loved so much.
Images of the police shooting at the mother through the glass
None of the officers at the scene will be charged, the prosecutor ruled
A friend of Melissa said: ‘I know heaven has become a great soul, but I already miss you so much here on earth. Until we meet again, my friend’
The mother died at the scene of gunshot wounds
Another angle of the shot
‘Such a sweet and beautiful person, who was my daughter’s friend for 33 years. Melissa is now at peace.’
And another friend wrote in tribute: ‘Heartbroken + empty are both understatements. I’m still in disbelief as I try to process this tragedy.
‘You were such a warrior with a real heart of gold. Even despite hardships, you have always given everything for life. I’m sad I missed the chance to have lunch with you again last month, but I’m grateful I got to see you on Thursday.
‘Time is a thief and you really never know when you will see someone for the last time. It really saddens me to realize that I will never again receive a call, text, hug or compliment from someone as special as you.
‘I’m normally the friend who checks on everyone first, but I like that you always thought of me too.
‘I know heaven has become a great soul, but I already miss you so much here on earth. Until we meet again, my friend.’