A troubling incident was captured on video at a laundromat in Memphis, involving attacks on women.
Tennessee State Police reported that Joseph Leek received a trespass warning on Wednesday for Ellie’s laundromat located on South Pauline Street. However, he returned just hours later after acknowledging the notice.
“Back in the day, when you were in trouble, people would step up for you—there was a sense of pride and morality in this city that seems to be fading,”
Jacalyn Hendricks recounted her earlier encounter with Leek, saying he commented she shouldn’t be on her phone while doing laundry. “At first, I didn’t really grasp what he was saying, just thought it was odd, then he left,” she said.
Things escalated when Leek returned, wielding an orange baseball bat and yelling at customers.
As he approached Hendricks in an aggressive manner, two bystanders, identified as Donald Young and Regenald Harris, intervened.
A video from WLTX-TV shows the two men restraining Leek until police arrived. Hendricks described them as her “superheroes,” noting that without their help, the situation could have turned much worse for her.
One of the men later mentioned that Leek had said he wasn’t taking his medication. “I was relieved to hold him down rather than having to resort to violence. It’s important to foster a positive image of our community,” Harris shared.
Harris also expressed hope for Leek, stating that many people might judge him harshly, but he felt a sense of compassion. “I don’t want to see his name in the news for the wrong reasons, nor hers. This cycle of violence has to end,” he added, calling for more community intervention.
“People need to step up like they used to. Pride and morality matter, and we need to reclaim that for this city,” he concluded.
