MEMPHIS, TN (abc24.com) - An elderly Memphis man is fighting for his life. Marion Wood, 92, was shot in the face after a man tried to rob him at home. He's lived in his Orange Mound neighborhood nearly 50 years.
Neighbors say Orange Mound may have a bad rap with crime but nothing like this. Many neighbors were afraid to open their doors to ABC24 News. Others kept a watchful eye out of their windows. They say their neighborhood is going downhill fast because of thugs from elsewhere.
Flashing blue lights are rarely seen in the 1100-block of Poppen Drive.
“It's quiet, mostly elderly people here,” said neighbor Terrell Mason.
Memphis Police officers were patrolling the neighborhood Friday morning checking on neighbors and watching for anything suspicious after Thursday morning's shooting.
"It's always been peaceful around here. That's the first I've ever heard something like that happening,” said another neighbor, Larry Sutton.
In the Poppen Drive neighborhood more than 20 home burglaries were reported in the last month. 120 burglaries were reported for the entire Orange Mound community.
"It's dangerous anywhere you go. You can go to downtown Memphis, you can go to Germantown, and it’s just the riff raff. They're everywhere, I mean you can't get away from it,” said Mason. He’s been living in Orange Mound for more than 13 years.
Mason lives down the street from his 92-year-old neighbor, Marion Wood. According to police, around 8 a.m. on Thursday, September 20, Wood was sitting in his living room with the rear sliding door open waiting on a mechanic to look at his van. That's when a strange man opened Wood's door and pointed a black revolver to his head. The man stole $3,000 cash, shot Wood in the face, and took off. Wood told police he's been robbed before but never shot.
"We're in a crime area, but for that kind of crime is a senseless act,” said Mason.
Wood lived alone; his wife died 2 years ago. The elderly say they feel helpless.
"It makes me scared for my sister because she's 71 years old,” said Sutton.
"You just have to be vigilant and watch,” said Mason.
Marion Wood is still recovering at the MED. Police have not arrested the shooter.
Anyone with information on this shooting should call CrimeStoppers at (901) 528-CASH (2274). You can also submit your tip at 528cash.org, or text the word AWARD to 274637 (CRIMES). You will remain anonymous, and you could be eligible to receive a cash reward.
