In Loving Memory of Quinton Cowen — A Young Life Tragically Cut Short by Violence

The city of Memphis is once again grieving the loss of a young soul taken far too soon. Quinton Cowen, just 22 years old, was gunned down last week outside his friend’s home at an apartment complex in the Hickory Hill neighborhood. His life — filled with dreams, laughter, and potential — was stolen in an instant by senseless violence, leaving behind a family consumed by grief and a community struggling to understand why tragedy continues to strike so close to home.

According to authorities, the shooting occurred late in the evening outside the apartment complex where Quinton had gone to visit a friend. What began as an ordinary night ended in heartbreak when gunfire erupted, claiming his young life. Despite efforts by first responders, Quinton was pronounced dead at the scene. Police continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, but for his loved ones, no explanation can mend the hole left in their hearts.

For Quinton’s grandmother, the pain is almost unbearable. Through tears, she shared with FOX13 that this tragedy has forced her to relive the same heartbreak she endured just months earlier — when another of her grandsons was shot and killed in Whitehaven. To lose one grandchild to violence is unimaginable; to lose two in such a short span is devastating beyond words.

“My heart is broken all over again,” she said, her voice trembling with emotion. “I shouldn’t have to bury one grandson, let alone two. Our young people are dying, and it’s tearing families apart.”

Quinton was remembered by family and friends as a kindhearted, funny, and loyal young man who loved his family deeply. He had a contagious smile that could brighten anyone’s day and a quiet determination to make something of himself. Friends say he was the type of person who would give you the shirt off his back, always looking out for others and staying true to the people he loved.

His mother, siblings, and extended family are struggling to come to terms with the reality of his absence. They describe Quinton as a young man who was full of life and ambition, someone who talked often about his dreams for the future and his desire to help lift his family up. Now, those dreams have been silenced, replaced by the haunting echoes of gunfire and the heavy weight of grief.

As word of his death spread, the Hickory Hill community has joined together to mourn and demand change. Friends and neighbors gathered at the scene to release balloons, light candles, and pray for peace — not only for Quinton but for all the young lives lost to the ongoing cycle of violence in Memphis. “We’re tired of crying, tired of burying our babies,” one community member said. “We have to do better — for Quinton, for all of them.”

The tragedy has once again drawn attention to the devastating ripple effects of gun violence — how each loss sends shockwaves through families, schools, and entire communities. Quinton’s story is not just one of tragedy but of a life that mattered — a young man who loved, who dreamed, and who deserved more time.

In the wake of his passing, his family is calling for unity, healing, and change. They are urging anyone with information about the shooting to come forward so that justice can be served and no other family has to endure the same pain.

While his loved ones cling to memories of his laughter, his kindness, and the joy he brought into their lives, they also hold onto faith that Quinton’s name will not be forgotten — that his story will serve as a call to end the violence that continues to steal so many young lives.

Rest in Peace, Quinton Cowen (2003–2025)
Gone too soon, but forever loved. Your light will live on in the hearts of all who knew you.