Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy announced his office is pursuing new charges against the 17-year-old involved in last week’s shootout that killed Memphis Police Officer Joseph McKinney.
On April 12 at approximately 2:00 a.m., the Memphis Police Department (MPD) responded to a suspicious vehicle call at Horn Lake Road and Charter Avenue.
The vehicle was occupied by the 17-year-old, whose identity has not been released, and 18-year-old Jaylen Lobley, who was arrested and released without bond in March for a gun charge and stealing two vehicles.
While approaching the vehicle, officers were fired upon, and three, including McKinney, were struck. As officers returned fire, the vehicle fled; however, it was quickly recovered, and both suspects were taken into custody and transported to Regional One Health for their injuries.
McKinney, an MPD officer for more than four years, and the 18-year-old suspect, Jaylen Lobley, died of their injuries.
While it was initially perceived that McKinney (pictured above) was killed by gunfire from the suspects inside the vehicle, Mulroy’s office announced Wednesday that the officer was killed by “friendly fire.”
Mulroy made the announcement as questions surfaced as to why the 17-year old was not charged with murder for the officer’s death.
Now, as of Friday, Mulroy’s office has reversed its decision not to charge the suspect with murder, saying, “Let me be clear about this – There is only one person responsible for the death of Officer McKinney, and that’s the person we’re charging.”
The 17-year-old now faces charges of Second Degree Murder and Reckless Homicide in connection with McKinney’s death in addition to 13 counts of each of the following: Criminal Attempt First Degree Murder, Assault Against First Responder, and Aggravated Assault.
The suspect also faces charges of Theft of Property $10,000-$60,000, Possessing a Firearm During Commission or Attempt to Commit Dangerous Felony, Possession Of a Prohibited Weapon, and Evading Arrest.
“We intend to prosecute this case vigorously. This kind of abhorrent violent behavior is intolerable. Those who commit it will face serious consequences. We’re determined to see that justice is done in this case,” Mulroy said.
Mulroy also announced Friday that his office officially declined to pursue criminal charges against any MPD officers present during last week’s incident.
“Following a swift yet thorough review conducted by our Justice Review Unit, DA Mulroy concurred with their findings that the officers’ use of force was justified. They were responding to gunfire directed at them, presenting a clear and immediate threat to their lives. Given these circumstances, their actions were deemed both reasonable and justified,” Mulroy’s office said.
The new developments from Mulroy’s office come days before McKinney will be laid to rest, as funeral arrangements for the fallen officer have been announced for Monday.
On Sunday evening, MPD will conduct a “Sea of Blue” in memory of McKinney.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
Photo “Joseph McKinney” by Memphis Police Department. Background Photo “Crime Scene Tape” by Tony Webster. CC BY-SA 4.0.
