Blake Rhea Memphis TN Death:- Memphis musician Blake Rhea, a bassist who played with the Grammy-nominated soul blues band Southern Avenue and other local acts, was shot and killed early Wednesday morning in Midtown.
The shooting occurred around 1 a.m. at the intersection of Cleveland and Linden. Edward Wurl has been charged with first-degree murder and possession of a handgun by a convicted felon.
An affidavit states that Rhea and Wurl were reportedly involved with the same woman, leading to the fatal encounter. Surveillance footage from Louis Connelly’s Bar captured Rhea speaking with Wurl in the street after Wurl exited the bar. As Rhea walked toward his car, Wurl followed, appearing to hold a knife behind his back.
The two men then had a confrontation, with Wurl standing between Rhea and his open car door for several seconds before shooting him. Video footage shows Rhea slumping over as Wurl backed away.
Wurl, a convicted felon from Fairfax City, Virginia, was previously convicted of burglary and unlawful wounding in March 1994.
