Facebook Comment Leads To Tennessee Man’s Arrest For Murder, Police Say

A threatening comment made on a Tennessee shooting victim’s Facebook page led to the identification and arrest of a suspect in the case, authorities said.

Around 2 a.m. on Dec. 29, police in Memphis found Darnell Appling dead from multiple gunshot wounds in a parking lot near a grocery store, WHBQ-TV reported.

During the investigation, police said the victim’s mother provide screenshots of Facebook comments to her son from a user named “KashStMack.” According to police, one message stated: “Put you [expletive] on a leash before some happened to you.”

Detectives allegedly linked the account to Lamarcus Smith, 24, who turned himself in on Jan. 9 after he was accused of aggravated assault, police said.

While in custody, Smith allegedly confirmed “KashStMack” was his Facebook screen name, but he claimed he was with his girlfriend the night Appling died, police said.

According to police, a search of the girlfriend’s home turned up two Taurus 9mm handguns, which were the same model of weapon used in Appling’s murder.

During an interview, the girlfriend alleged Smith confessed to her he shot Appling after stealing a gun from her, WHBQ-TV reported, citing court records.

Smith was arrested and he now faces a first-degree murder charge.

Police have not disclosed a possible motive for the shooting.

The investigation is ongoing.