A video circulating on social media shows the moment gunshots rang out in a popular tourist area in downtown Memphis early Sunday morning.
The video, shared by @police_frequency on the social media outlet Telegram and then posted on Twitter, shows a large crowd of people at the intersection of South B.B. King and Peabody Place start to run after more than 20 gunshots were heard firing non-stop.
Officers with the Memphis Police Department (MPD) responded to the scene around 2:30 a.m. on Sunday, according to WREG Memphis.
The outlet, citing information from MPD, reports that eight victims of the shooting were transported to four nearby hospitals for treatment in non-critical conditions and all are expected to make full recoveries. The victims, WREG adds, range in age from 19 to 54.
While the investigation is ongoing, MPD did not immediately identify or release information regarding a suspect in the shooting.
The shooting came two hours after MPD responded to another shooting call in the 1500 Block of Getwell Rd where one male was pronounced deceased on the scene. That case also lacks suspect information.
Most recent crime statistics released by the University of Memphis and the Memphis and Shelby County Crime Commission show that the Overall Crime Rate in Shelby County has increased by 17.4 percent in 2023 when compared to 2022 data.
In addition, the Major Violent Crime Rate in Shelby County increased 5.4 percent and the Major Property Crime Rate in Shelby County increased 42.1 percent from 2022.
Gun Related Violent Incidents in Shelby County also increased 10.0 percent so far this year when compared to 2022.
Most notably, murders in 2023 increased by 77 percent when compared to 2022 data.
The crime report, published in April, was called “disturbing” at the time by the University of Memphis and the Memphis and Shelby County Crime Commission.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network.
Image “Shooting in Memphis” by @Police_Frequency.
Exactly! A gun has never, of and by itself, killed a single person. It’s who picks up the gun that is the killer or one that injures another person, even if it’s accidental. The same can be said for any object that is used to injure or kill someone. The knife or the instrument used in injuring or killing somebody is not to blame. The person is to blame, not the gun, or whatever object is used in the killing, or maiming or an individual. Only a person assaulting another person is to blame. Objects, whatever they may be, are unable to do anything. It’s always the person that’s at fault.
Memphis has really garnered quite a name for itself. It was once a city full of history and beauty where people traveled to take in the sites and sounds of the city. All those tourists brought in a lot of revenue to the city. That tourism has virtually stopped, other than the out of town dealers of illegal gun and drugs.
Just look at Memphis now. Everyone who follows what’s going on there wouldn’t set foot in the city due to the fact it is now a lawless, dangerous, and ruined city. This is the fault of those who are supposed to be in charge. They are to blame for the failure that has occurred in this once beautiful and lively tourist destination. No more. It’s lost and may never return to its prior glory.
reminder that this is a democrat run city and has been for decades
Gee, just in time for Governor Lee’s special session. We have a people problem not a gun problem. Go easy on crime you get more crime. Nothing is ever a coincidence folks.
Sadly, these people in Memphis reelected Justin Pearson…..don’t look for things to change in Memphis anytime soon.
Hey Justin Pearson, isn’t this taking place in your district? Are you too busy working to take away law abiding Tennesseans rights to self defense to do anything about the epidemic of lawlessness in Memphis? Sadly, I wouldn’t set foot in that city. I’m pretty sure your constituents shown in this article would gladly follow any new laws that relate to law and order and the possession of firearms.
There is an epidemic of violence in democratically controlled cities across America, and the violence is not at the hand of elderly white Trump supporters. I am so thankful that Tennessee republicans are in the majority and have the common sense to see what is really taking place in America. Than you.