Memphis Man Charged With Killing Girlfriend’s Teen Son Over $5 Debt

A Memphis man is accused of killing his girlfriend’s teenage son during an argument over an alleged $5 debt, according to officials.

Michael D. Robinson, 32, was indicted by a grand jury for several charges related to the fatal shooting of ZaQune Harris, 18, Shelby County District Attorney Amy Weirich announced Monday. Officials say the incident happened on July 12, 2021 outside a Randle Street residence in Memphis where Harris lived with his mother, Consquala Harris. She was in a romantic relationship with Robinson.

Robinson was charged with first-degree murder, tampering with evidence and being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm. According to the district attorney’s office, Robinson has a previous conviction for aggravated assault dating to 2019.

Robinson and ZaQune Harris allegedly got into an altercation in front of Consquala Harris’ home at around 2:15 a.m., said Weirich. The pair argued over a $5 debt when the “argument escalated,” after which Robinson allegedly went to his vehicle to retrieve a shotgun.

Witnesses said Robinson then shot ZaQune Harris once in the chest before placing the shotgun back in his vehicle and moving the car a short distance from the crime scene, according to prosecutors.

According to Shelby County charging documents viewed by Oxygen.com, first responders found the teen unresponsive in the driveway. His mother was present and allegedly told officers that Robinson had shot her son.

ZaQune Harris was pronounced dead on the scene.

Robinson was taken into custody outside the Harris residence that night, according to the charging documents, and allegedly confessed to the shooting.

Robinson has been charged with several crimes in the past, including the August 2019 aggravated assault in which he allegedly punched his then-girlfriend several times in the face and strangled her, according to court records obtained by Oxygen.com. According to the charging documents and jail records reviewed by Oxygen.com, he pleaded guilty to the assault in May 2021 and was on probation at the time of the shooting.

Robinson was also accused of breaking the window of his estranged wife’s home in 2020, for which he was arrested for misdemeanor domestic violence and charged with vandalism. Charges in that case are pending, according to court records.

In 2021, he was sentenced to less than a year behind bars after being convicted of multiple drug charges and possession of a firearm.

Robinson is currently being held at the Shelby County Jail, where he remains without bond. Jail records show he is scheduled to appear in court on June 21.

Attempts by Oxygen.com to reach Robinson’s attorney were unsuccessful.