Officer, suspect die after shootout in Memphis

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC/Gray News) - An officer has died after an early morning shootout in Memphis on Friday, and a suspect also died, authorities said in a press conference.

Memphis Mayor Paul Young said he was “heartbroken about the lives lost” and called for “community action.”

Three Memphis Police officers and two suspects were hurt in the shooting.

Two officers and two suspects were taken to Regional One Hospital. A bullet grazed the other officer.

Memphis Interim Police Chief C.J. Davis identified the deceased officer as Joseph McKinney, who joined the police department in 2020.

The suspect who died was only 18 years old. The second suspect, a 17-year-old, was taken to Regional One Hospital in critical condition.

The surviving officer who was hospitalized is in non-critical condition.

Police said they responded to the scene after they received several calls around 2 a.m. about a suspicious black car driving recklessly at Hewlett Road and Horn Lake Road near Shelby Drive.

Police said when officers approached the vehicle, the suspects shot at them, causing a shootout.

The suspects drove away but were found again on Hewlett Road.

Police said the 18-year-old killed in the shooting had been arrested and released without bond in March.

Police said he had an illegally modified semi-automatic weapon with a Glock switch attached.

Also last month, he was charged with two stolen vehicles and had a programming device used to steal cars.

Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is investigating the case.

Copyright 2024 WMC via Gray Media Group, Inc. All rights reserved.