A theological disagreement between a Memphis pastor and a woman at a local bar turned deadly on March 12.
According to NewsNation, Pastor Ricky Floyd was fatally shot outside Momma's Bar and Kitchen in Memphis following an intense argument over the Bible with Samantha Marion, who claims she acted in self-defense.
The incident began when Marion, who had just met Steven Newsom at the bar, engaged in a heated discussion with Floyd about religious matters. The argument reportedly centered on questioning Floyd's authority to preach given his presence at a bar during early morning hours, with sources indicating Marion appeared to be winning the verbal exchange.
Attorney John Keith Perry, representing Marion, explained that Floyd had been distributing religious tracts to patrons at the bar before the confrontation. The pastor had no prior interactions with Marion before that evening, making their encounter entirely coincidental.
The situation escalated when Floyd abruptly left the establishment with his religious materials. Witnesses note that no explicit threats or challenges were made during the initial argument inside the bar.
Perry's account details how Newsom attempted to intervene by positioning himself between Floyd and Marion outside the establishment. The intervention resulted in Floyd allegedly knocking Newsom to the ground.
Marion's legal team presented video evidence they claim supports their client's self-defense argument. The footage, which captures Floyd's final moments, shows only a portion of the confrontation.
Attorney Kevin Massey articulated Marion's attempt to photograph Floyd's license plate following the altercation with Newsom. Marion can be heard in the recording repeatedly warning someone to "back up."
The defense team maintains that Marion acted within her legal rights, both in documenting the incident and in defending herself when she felt threatened.
Floyd's family has expressed skepticism about the partial video evidence, emphasizing that it fails to present a complete picture of the tragic events. They are awaiting the formal judicial process to reveal the full circumstances surrounding the pastor's death.
The incident has deeply affected the Memphis community, particularly those who knew Floyd through his pastoral work. Arrangements for his funeral service have been scheduled at Greater Imani Church in Raleigh.
A late-night encounter at Momma's Bar and Kitchen in Memphis resulted in Pastor Ricky Floyd's death following a heated theological argument with Samantha Marion on March 12. The confrontation, which began as a dispute over religious authority and escalated into physical violence outside the establishment, ended when Marion shot Floyd while claiming self-defense.
The case now rests in the hands of the justice system as Floyd's family awaits answers, while Marion's legal team maintains her actions were justified by the threat to her safety. The pastor's funeral services are scheduled to take place at Greater Imani Church in Raleigh, where his community will gather to bid farewell.
