‘No one is safe’: Relatives of victim afraid accused killer will get bail

MEMPHIS, Tenn.– Family members of a man gunned down nearly two years ago along Union Avenue say they will be in court Monday to try and prevent his accused killer from getting out of jail.

In October of 2022, Bobby Chism, 37, was charged with first-degree murder in the death of Thomas Bonner, 43.

Chism, a convicted felon, is being held without bond but is scheduled for a bail hearing on Monday.

Bonner said the family was notified about the hearing last week. Talisha Duffy said she doesn’t understand why a judge would consider granting him bond now and is concerned about her family’s safety.

“If they give him bond, he’s going to try and run or do something to a family member,” said Duffy. “He’s an animal. He needs to be in a cage. No one is safe.”

Police said Bonner was sitting at a Union and South Bellevue bus stop when Chism and a woman pulled up next to him at a stoplight. They said Chism used a racial slur, and the two men began arguing.

Witnesses said the female driver, later identified as Latorya Graham, pulled into a nearby parking lot, Chism got out of their car and shot Bonner several times.

MPD said Chism was caught on camera approaching Bonner and yelling at him right before the shooting.

“We still don’t know why,” Duffy said. “My brother was partially deaf.”

Along with first-degree murder, Chism was charged with reckless endangerment and being a convicted felon in possession of a handgun. Graham was charged with the facilitation of first-degree murder and released on a $100,000 bond.

Chism is also accused of violently attacking two food truck workers during an armed robbery in September of 2022. Chism was charged in two other incidents where he allegedly assaulted the victims and fired a gun, but it appears those cases have been dismissed.

“He’s got all these charges, and he shouldn’t be free,” said Duffy. “He needs to stay behind bars.”

The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office agrees. A spokesperson for the DA said because of the serious charges against Chism and his criminal record, they will ask for an extremely high bond on Monday.

“We believe he is a danger to the community,” said Erica Williams.

Duffy said her mother and other loved ones have gone to all of Chism’s hearings, and they are tired of waiting for his trial to begin.

“I just want justice for my brother,” said Duffy. “It still hurts every day.”

A grand jury indicted Chism in June of 2023.

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