Police charge grandson in death of popular Memphis deejay

Memphis police have arrested the grandson of a popular deejay killed Wednesday, charging him with first-degree murder.
Dee “Cap’n Pete” Henderson, who hosted a blues show on WEVL for 26 years, was found shot to death in the backyard of his home at 1040 Fields Wednesday morning. He was 72.

Police arrested Cortez Thomas, 30, about 1 p.m. Wednesday and booked him into jail later that night.

“Oh my God, no he didn’t,” said Henderson’s girlfriend, Jessie Mae Ayers, who knew the blues lover for more than 20 years.

Police developed Thomas as a suspect after he gave conflicting statements over his whereabouts at the time of the killing.

Police determined that Thomas got a gun and shot his grandfather in the back while Henderson was working in the yard.

Thomas has an arrest history that includes drug charges and criminal trespass.

Henderson’s wake will be from 3-6:30 p.m. July 25 at N.J. Ford and Sons Funeral Home. Services will be at noon July 26 at the Cathedral of God Holy Word Temple, 1110 Faxon.

The 20th annual Blues on the Bluff fundraiser at the National Ornamental Metal Museum Saturday will serve as a memorial of sorts for Henderson.

Tags: Memphis, Police, charge, death, deejay, grandson, in, of, popular

Comment by ORANGE MOUND VET.AKA MR.22 SHOTS. on July 19, 2008 at 2:09pm: What is the world coming to a nigga shoot his grandaddy in the back and kills him but this shit don't surprise me i live in Memphis nigga's doing stupid shit everyday here.

Comment by cye young on July 19, 2008 at 4:35pm: AGAIN ITS CRAZY IN THE HOOD...GET AT ME...ITS YOUNG

Comment by Rokk on July 19, 2008 at 6:35pm: Gramps got tired of taking care of a GROWN-ASS MAN....That nigga couldn't take resonsibility for himself so he took out the hand that was feeding him...signs of another worthless motherfucker...

Comment by Smoke-! on July 20, 2008 at 12:31am: THAT'S SO DAD ... WHEN THE FUCK WE GONNA WAKE UP... THE MAN WAS 72 YRS OLD. RAN A BLUES STATION FOR DAMN NEAR THREE DECADES...

NO RESPECT

Comment by Mac Sleepy on July 20, 2008 at 5:11am: This Shyt Is Fukked Up Here In Memphis... i Can't Even Lie.. Kill or be Killed

Comment by Dreg on July 20, 2008 at 9:35am: Aint nothin more dangerous in this country than a man who feel like he aint got shit to lose. They should burn this nigga alive!

Comment by Lil Bit on July 20, 2008 at 9:40am: The man was 72 yrs old, well known in Memphis, and out of all the people who lives in the city his grandson shoots and kills him! The world is really coming to an end. So sad, so pointless!

Comment by Kevanakia on July 21, 2008 at 8:44pm: Its ashame that people only see memphis in a black light. Everywhere has crime and murder. Not only am I sorry for the death of a local legend but I am more sorry for the death of a great city. Im a Memphis throughbred and always will be. Not sayin that im proud of what they doin but its always been tha same. I wanna celebrate in advance for BETTA DAYZ. Cheers.