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MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A man was arrested after police say he opened fire on a woman and three small children in South Memphis.

The woman told police it all began after she and Jarvis Ferguson became involved in a verbal altercation Sunday afternoon in the 200 block of Edith. She got into her car to leave, and that’s when Ferguson allegedly pulled out a gun and started firing.

The woman’s sister called police to report the incident and police arrived in time to detain Ferguson.

Police said there were three children, ages 6, 7 and 8, inside the car at the time of the shooting. One of the children belonged to Ferguson.

The bullets hit three of the car’s tires, but no one was injured.

Ferguson was arrested and charged with four counts of aggravated assault.

Ferguson has long list of run-ins with police, and the majority of them have been domestic violence-related. 

Records show at one point Ferguson’s girlfriend told police he put both hands around her neck and squeezed. Another report says he threatened her with a gun.

In 2014, he was accused of choking his girlfriend until she could not breathe. In 2012, he was accused of pushing a woman in the face, and in 2017, just hours after his girlfriend had given birth to their child, detectives said he got so upset with her in the hospital room, he threw a pitcher of ice water, hitting her in the face while she was holding their newborn. 

“If there is some sort of violence, it’s very typical that it’s going to get worse,” said Amanda Russell, the director of clinical operations with Kindred Place, a non-profit family counseling center. “It’s not always as easy as just, just to leave.”

Recognizing there are often financial burdens, she said while in a pandemic there are obstacles, but it’s important to seek help. Find a way to get out of a potentially dangerous situation. 

“Find a way to get in the car to go get gas or to take a walk, whatever it is to get outside that house so that you can make a phone call either to police, the Family Safety Center,” Russell said.

Perhaps there isn’t a current emergency, but you see a potential problem down the road and would like to seek guidance, you can call Kindred Place at 901-276-220.