Crips Gang Member Convicted of Attempted Murder

Prosecutors in District Attorney General Charme Allen’s Career Gang Unit obtained convictions today against a Crips gang member who attempted to kill a driver during a carjacking. Demetris Ross Grimes, 27, was convicted of eighteen counts including multiple counts of Attempted First Degree Murder, Employing a Firearm During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony, Attempted Carjacking, Attempted Especially Aggravated Robbery, and Assault. Judge Bob McGee set the case for sentencing on June 24.

In a three-day trial, Assistant District Attorneys TaKisha Fitzgerald and Phil Morton explained to the jury that on March 8, 2014, Grimes and a co-defendant pulled into BJ’s Market at 2310 E. Magnolia Avenue. The victim had just finished pumping gas and was getting ready to leave when Grimes put a .45 caliber handgun to the victim’s head and demanded his car keys. With the gun to the victim’s head, Grimes pulled the trigger, but the gun did not fire. When the victim took off running toward the market, Grimes racked the gun to load it and fired multiple times at the victim, striking him twice. Another patron of the store was also struck by gunfire. One victim remained in the hospital for a month before he recovered from the shooting.

Grimes is a member of the Crips street gang and has six prior felony convictions for cocaine and firearms charges. Because of his criminal history, he is facing fifteen to twenty-five years on each Attempted First Degree Murder charge with a ten-year mandatory consecutive sentence for the firearm counts. The sentence in this case must also run consecutive to a nine-year sentence Grimes is serving on a previous cocaine and gun case. Prosecutors will seek an enhanced sentence due to Grimes’ gang affiliation and the random, violent nature of this crime.

“Without the cooperation between the community, law enforcement, and the DA’s Office, offenders like Grimes might go unpunished,” said DA Allen.”Although the witnesses in this case feared retaliation, they took a stand and had the courage to speak out against gang violence in their community.”

If you have any questions, please contact Sean McDermott at 865-215-2515 or Sean.McDermott@knoxcounty.org. For more information about the District Attorney’s Office, visit our website at dag.knoxcountytn.gov and follow us on Facebook and Twitter.