Memphis teen remains in custody in first homicide of 2017

A 17-year-old, arrested in connection with the city's first homicide of the new year, was ordered held in detention Tuesday afternoon at Juvenile Court.

Jaylen Clayton is charged with first-degree murder in the fatal shooting of 18-year-old Kiara Tatum. His lawyers and family members who came to court declined to comment.

Clayton's mother, Lezara Walker, and stepfather, Deion Kerr, attended his detention hearing. His public defender, Chris Martin, asked for the media to be barred from the hearing due to concerns over the defendant's confidentiality and the family's safety. His family said two people came to their residence  Tuesday morning, Martin said. The family is moving.

After Juvenile Court Magistrate Carlyn Addison ruled to allow the media to stay, Assistant District Attorney Bryan Davis told the court Clayton was identified as one of the shooters by a witness. He was located in the 4000 block of Eagle River in the area of Lamar and Getwell along with two 9 mm handguns. Davis said Clayton admitted to having and pointing a handgun and being with another suspect during the shooting.

According to police, Tatum was standing with a group outside a home in the 3000 block of Danville Road around 8:15 p.m. Sunday when police said Clayton and another man drove up in a white car and opened fire into the crowd.

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Tatum was hit and pronounced dead on the scene from her injuries. Tatum, known as Nu Nu, attended LeMoyne-Owen College and was studying to be a nurse, her family said. Loved ones described her strong and beautiful.

According to his attorney, Clayton is enrolled in Northwest Prep Academy.  He doesn't have a criminal record

In addition to the murder charge, Clayton also was charged with five counts of attempted first-degree murder and employing a firearm during the commission of a felony. Davis said there were six victims in the case. Addison found probable cause on all counts and ordered Clayton held in detention.

In 2016, nine homicide suspects were under 18.  In 2015, four homicide suspects were 17 years old and younger.