A police officer and an 18-year-old male suspect were killed in a shootout early Friday morning in Memphis, Tennessee. The deceased suspect was arrested last month with an illegal weapon and later released without bail, law enforcement officials said.
The second officer was also shot, but his condition is not serious, but the third officer suffered a bullet grazing wound during the shooting. A second suspect, a 17-year-old, was also shot and is expected to survive, police said.
Officer Joseph McKinney, who joined the department in 2020, was shot and killed when police responded to a call about a suspicious vehicle at Horn Lake Road and Charter Avenue in Whitehaven, about nine miles south of downtown Memphis. Interim Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn “CJ” said. Davis made the announcement during an emotional press conference Friday.
As officers approached the dark-colored sedan, two suspects inside fired shots at them, Davis said.
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Memphis Police Officer Joseph McKinney (inset) was shot and killed on Friday, April 12, 2024. Police Chief Cerelyn “CJ” Davis (right) and images from the scene (left). (WHBQ | Udell Shelton)
Police immediately returned fire and the two sped off in their car, but came to a halt a short time later near the 400 block of Hewritt Road as officers pursued them.
One suspect was quickly arrested and the other ran away but was later captured nearby, Davis said.
The suspects were taken to a nearby hospital in critical condition, and the 18-year-old was later pronounced dead, Davis said. The pair has not been identified.
McKinney was also bruised and died from his wounds, she said.
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Memphis Police Officer Joseph McKinney was killed in a shootout with two teenagers early Friday morning. (Udell Shelton)
“We have a wife who is grieving right now,” Davis said. “The suspect’s family is grieving at this time.”
“The men and women of the Memphis Police Department are hurting right now. As police chief, I’m hurting right now,” Davis said. “Once again, there is a senseless death in our community. gun violence. ”
Video from the scene shows the suspect’s car riddled with bullet holes and the back window shattered.
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Memphis police car. (Brad Best/Getty Images)
Davis said the 18-year-old who died was arrested last month in a stolen car and was in possession of a modified semi-automatic rifle that had a Glock switch installed.
“The Glock switch turned this weapon into a fully automatic machine gun,” David said.
He was also charged at the time with possession of two stolen vehicles and a programming device commonly used in car thefts and was released without bail, Davis said.
In 2023, the city had a record 398 murders.
