3 teens charged in stolen firearm investigation, SCSO says

SHELBY COUNTY, Tenn. (WMC) - Three teens have been arrested after a series of robberies in Shelby County, according to the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.

Ja’Vion Phillips, 19, and two 15-year-olds have been arrested and charged in this series of robberies. Phillips was charged with two counts of aggravated robbery and contributing to the delinquency of a child.

One of the 15-year-olds has been charged with two counts of aggravated assault and one charge of aggravated burglary. The other one has been charged with two counts of aggravated robbery, aggravated assault, conspiracy to commit a felony (aggravated robbery), and possession of a handgun by a juvenile.

On September 26, 2026, around 3:15 p.m., Shelby County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a reported robbery off Ross Road in southeast Shelby County.

The victim informed deputies that they were attempting to sell a firearm on Facebook Marketplace and arranged to meet a potential buyer in person with some friends, according to the SCSO.

When they arrived at a park to meet the potential buyer, an unknown person hopped out of the vehicle and brandished a firearm at the seller. Records state that the suspect stole the firearm intended for sale along with two pistol magazines before leaving the scene.

Investigative efforts would later show that after a search warrant was issued, the suspects were celebrating and laughing at the victim on a video recorded on one of their phones.

On October 15, 2026, detectives identified one of the suspects as a 15-year-old boy. Further investigation showed that he was involved in another armed robbery on Barley Cove and Barkshire Drive, according to records.

The first 15-year-old was arrested and charged accordingly.

On October 20, 2026, detectives from the BRATS (Burglary, Robbery and Auto Theft) executed a search warrant near Edwin Forest Road and Finch Road. Deputies recovered a key programmer stolen from the robbery on Barley Cove, along with further evidence linking the suspect to the September 26 robbery.

The second 15-year-old suspect was arrested and charged with further offenses.

On October 29, 2026, SCSO deputies and BRATS detectives executed another search warrant at a home on Frayser Boulevard. Over the course of their search, deputies and detectives recovered a loaded Glock magazine, a Glock 35 handgun with a switch equipped, and other evidence.

Ja’Vion Phillips was charged after that search. Phillips was charged with two counts of aggravated robbery and contributing to the delinquency of a child.

He is currently being held in custody. The status of the 15-year-olds has not been provided.

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