A Memphis, Tennessee, police officer was recently killed by an 18-year-old suspect in a shootout that occurred early Friday morning. The suspect, who died as a result of the shootout with police, was previously arrested last month for possessing an illegal weapon. Following the arrest, he was released without bond.
Officer Joseph McKinney was shot and killed by ensuing gunfire as police responded to a call about suspicious activity in a vehicle south of downtown Memphis. McKinney had joined the Memphis Police Department in 2020.
A second police officer was also struck with gunfire but remains in non-critical condition. Additionally, a third responding officer was reportedly grazed by a bullet in the shootout. Another 17-year-old suspect was also shot but is expected to survive.
Upon approaching the car, they were quickly shot at by the suspects from within the vehicle. Police returned fire at the suspects before speeding off and stopping a short distance ahead as officers pursued them. One suspect was detained while the other fled the scene.
The Memphis Police Department released a statement on X detailing the tragic shooting, writing, “At approximately 2:00 am, officers responded to a suspicious vehicle call at Horn Lake Road and Charter Avenue. Officers approached the vehicle and officers were fired upon. Officers returned fire. Two officers and two suspects were struck by gunfire. The vehicle fled and was located in the 400 block of Hewlett Road. One suspect was taken into custody immediately. One fled the scene and was located nearby. The two officers were transported to Regional One. Both suspects were transported to ROH. This is an ongoing investigation. The District Attorney was contacted and the TBI will be conducting the investigation.”
Interim Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn “C.J.” Davis made a public statement about the tragic shooting on Friday. “We have a wife that’s grieving now,” Davis said. “We have the family of the suspects that are grieving now.” She added, “The men and women of the Memphis Police Department are hurt right now. As chief of police, I am hurt right now. Once again, senseless deaths in our community by gun violence.”
The police chief also described the illegal firearm that the 18-year-old suspect possessed. The individual had an illegally modified Glock that contained a “switch,” which would give the gun fully automatic capability. The teen was also charged with stealing vehicles.
“The 18 year old suspect was arrested in March 2024 by MPD in a stolen vehicle with an illegal modified semi automatic weapon with a Glock switch attached. The Glock switch converted the weapon to a fully automatic machine gun. He was also charged at that time for two stolen vehicles and having a programming device commonly used to steal cars. The suspect was released at that time without bond,” Davis said.
The tragic death of Joseph McKinney comes just after NYPD Officer Jonathan Diller was shot and killed by a criminal who was reported to have had a lengthy rap sheet of 21 prior criminal arrests. In the wake of these incidents, many have called for law and order to be returned to American cities.
Note: The featured image is a screenshot from the embedded video.
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