Suspect Charged in Gang Beating Death

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - Memphis Police have arrested a suspect in the deadly beating of a University of Arkansas Pine Bluff student during an apparent gang initiation.

22-year old Keith Saulsberry was brought by a private vehicle to Methodist Hospital South just after midnight on May 22, suffering injuries from a severe beating. Saulsberry died a short time later.

The individuals that brought Saulsberry to the hospital claimed that the victim had driven up to a house seeking help because he had been beaten. Investigators later determined that Saulsberry was injured during an attempt to join the Bloods street gang.

The initiation required that Saulsberry be physically assaulted by existing gang members, commonly referred to as being “jumped in.” This particular initiation consisted of a 2-on-1 fight for 3 full minutes of physical assault. The results of the investigation indicated that this may have also been a situation where Saulsberry was not allowed to fight back or protect himself, known as a “no cover” situation.

As a result of the savage beating he suffered, Saulsberry was barely conscious at the conclusion of the initiation. Instead of taking him to a medical facility, the members of the Bloods street gang took him to a private residence and poured water on him to attempt to revive him. The delay between the assault and Saulsberry’s arrival at the hospital was approximately 1 hour. The assault was attended by several other members of the Bloods street gang, and the investigation is ongoing.

Officers with the Memphis Police Department’s Homicide Bureau arrested 24-year old Robert Barlow, AKA “Bay Bay”, and charged him with Aggravated Assault and Reckless Homicide. Barlow is currently being held at the Shelby County Jail on $100,000 bond. An arrest warrant was also obtained for 23-year old Raymond Clark, AKA “Smooks”, on the same charges for his participation in the incident.

Keith Saulsberry may have been eligible to graduate from the University of Arkansas, Pine Bluff, in December of 2010. He had no previous arrest record and no known gang affiliation prior to this incident.

This investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Raymond Clark is urged to contact Crime Stoppers at (901) 528-CASH (2247).