Memphis Community Rallying Around Elderly Preacher After Horrifying Encounter
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A quiet evening that’s turned into a nightmare for an 84-year-old preacher has sent shockwaves through the South Memphis community. Pastor Willie Hamblen, the minister of South Jackson Church of Christ in Houston, Mississippi, found himself in a desperate situation after making a wrong turn late Saturday night while leaving the Memphis International Airport.
A Wrong Turn Leads to Trouble
Pastor Hamblen, who will turn 85 this Friday, was exhausted after a long trip and relied on his GPS to guide him home. Unfortunately, the device led him astray. “I made a wrong turn,” he explained. “With my vision not being as good as it should be, I ended up stuck on the railroad tracks at Pendleton Street and Frisco Avenue.”
While waiting for a tow truck to get his car back on the road, a man approached him, asking questions that seemed innocuous at first. But the situation took a dramatic and frightening turn when the first man returned with a second individual, this time carrying an assault rifle.
A Frightening Encounter
“They came up to me and asked for everything I had,” Pastor Hamblen recounted, his voice still filled with disbelief. When Hamblen didn’t comply immediately, the attackers went through his pockets and began hitting him violently. “They knocked me to the ground with the butt of the rifle,” he said, visibly shaken by the memory.
As a result of the brutal attack, he suffered a concussion, broken ribs, and numerous abrasions. “I don’t remember the details entirely. After the concussion, some things seem different,” Hamblen shared. The assailants took his iPhone, car keys, and his wallet, which contained about $1,100.
Community Support Shines Through
After the assault, Hamblen struggled to get help. “It felt like ages, but eventually, three cars stopped and came to my aid. They thought I had been shot because of the bleeding,” he recalled. Thankfully, they called police officers and EMTs, who arrived quickly to assist the beaten preacher.
Now recovering at home, Pastor Hamblen expressed immense gratitude towards the responders who came to his aid. “I’m thankful that they didn’t shoot me. I’m just glad to be alive,” he said with a sigh of relief. He is aware that this shouldn’t reflect on the entire Memphis community but sees it as an isolated incident tied to the behavior of two individuals.
Feeling the Love from His Church
In the days following the attack, the pastor has received an outpouring of support from his church family and the wider Houston community. He is recuperating and looking forward to returning to the pulpit, where he finds solace and purpose in his calling. “The support has been overwhelming,” he shared, his spirit lifted by the kindness of others. “I hope it won’t be long before I’m back in church, sharing God’s word with my congregation.”
Help Find the Suspects
As the investigation unfolds, local police are keen on finding the duo involved, who were reportedly driving off in a dark sedan. If you have any information that can assist the investigation, you are encouraged to contact CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH.
This incident, while alarming, has illuminated the strength and resilience of the Memphis community, rallying together to support one of their own during a tough time. Let’s all hope for the swift recovery of Pastor Hamblen and justice for the crimes committed against him.
