A Memphis police officer is in stable condition after he was shot in the line of duty early Friday morning, according to the Memphis Police Department (MPD).
“At 4:19 am, officers conducted a traffic stop at 240 southbound near South Parkway. During the stop, an officer notified dispatch he had been shot,” said MPD on X. “The unknown motorist fled the scene. The officer was transported to Regional One critical. This is an ongoing investigation.”
At 4:19 am, officers conducted a traffic stop at 240 southbound near South Parkway. During the stop, an officer notified dispatch he had been shot. The unknown motorist fled the scene. The officer was transported to Regional One critical. This is an ongoing investigation. pic.twitter.com/feLDxFB0P0
— Memphis Police Dept (@MEM_PoliceDept) March 8, 2024
While the officer remains unidentified, MPD spokesperson Kimberly Elder told The Tennessee Star Friday that he is in stable condition.
The suspect, who was unknown at the time of the shooting, has been identified and is now in custody.
“The suspect, Geronimo Kee, was located in North Memphis in the Austin Peay Precinct. He is in custody,” MPD said on X in the early afternoon on Friday.
The suspect, Geronimo Kee, was located in North Memphis in the Austin Peay Precinct. He is in custody. https://t.co/4DHJF2Jwfa
— Memphis Police Dept (@MEM_PoliceDept) March 8, 2024
According to one report, Kee was charged in 2019 with vandalism and inciting a riot, both misdemeanors and escaping custody of an officer, a felony. Those charges, which were levied in Fayette County, were reportedly expunged from his record because he was a juvenile when they were committed.
“This morning’s shooting of an MPD officer is an unfortunate reminder of the dangerous situations that our officers face each day, and we stand with them in support,” Memphis Mayor Paul Young said in a statement. “We are praying for the officer to make a speedy recovery as MPD works hard to identify and capture the subject.”
This morning's shooting of an MPD officer is an unfortunate reminder of the dangerous situations that our officers face each day, and we stand with them in support.
We are praying for the officer to make a speedy recovery as MPD works hard to identify and capture the suspect.
— Paul Young (@mayorpaulyoung) March 8, 2024
Last month, Blount County Sheriff’s Deputy Greg McGowan was killed in a shootout.
Kenneth Wayne DeHart, the man accused of killing McGowan, 43, also allegedly shot and wounded Deputy Shelby Eggers, 22, during the incident.
Before that, Knox County Deputy Tucker Blakely was shot and killed during a domestic disturbance call, allegedly by 30-year-old Matthew Logan Rose.
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Pete D’Abrosca is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Pete on X / Twitter.
Photo “Crime Scene Tape” by Tony Webster. CC BY-SA 4.0.
