Mass shooting again in the United States leaves 1 dead and 8 injured in downtown Memphis 

By Edward Era Barbacena 

Eight people are injured after a shooting in Downtown Memphis early Sunday morning, according to Memphis Police.

Memphis Police officers responded to the shooting at South B.B. King and Peabody Place around 2:30 a.m.

Dozens of rounds were fired into a crowd, leaving eight people, between the age of 19 to 54, wounded.

According to police, the following were injured and transported to nearby hospitals for treatment:

A 24-year-old male transported to Regional One Hospital in non-critical condition.

A 54-year-old male transported to Regional One Hospital in non-critical condition.

A 37-year-old female transported by private vehicle to Regional One Hospital in non-critical condition.

A 31-year-old female transported by private vehicle to Regional One Hospital in non-critical condition.

A 20-year-old male transported by private vehicle to Regional One Hospital in non-critical condition.

A 19-year-old female transported to Methodist Central by private vehicle in non-critical condition.

A 28-year-old male transported to Baptist Desoto by private vehicle in non-critical condition.

A 31-year-old male transported to Methodist South by private vehicle in non-critical condition.

There is no suspect information at this time.

While Lofton William was not on the ground during the shooting, he was on top of a nearby parking garage, documenting Memphis’ nightlife for his media company, Black Wood News. 

“I could have easily been done there right there,” William said. “Everything was going good, everybody was just vibing, playing, they had the music playing, and all of sudden you hear is about a good 20, 25 shots ranging off.”

At 12:30 a.m., just a few hours before the shooting, MPD responded to the intersection of Gayoso and Ida B. Wells where multiple individuals began gathering in vehicles.

According to police, as officers were working to disperse the crowd, an MPD supervisor was assaulted by an unknown male and sustained minor injuries.

William witnessed the aftermath.

“It was out of control from the fights to slide shows, the police, they trying they best. They really couldn’t do nothing,” William said. “These folks out of control with these cars so it was over with.”

This shooting comes as downtown crime is under a microscope, following several incidents ranging from auto thefts to shootings.

“There will continue to be a heightened law enforcement presence in the downtown area to curtail these senseless acts of violence.  It is our commitment to bring bad actors to justice to maintain a safe environment in the downtown area for all” said Chief CJ Davis.

According to MPD, the investigation is ongoing. WREG will provide updates as information becomes available.