MEMPHIS, Tenn. — According to the Memphis Police Department (MPD), five people are injured after suspects speeding away from police crashed with two other vehicles in Whitehaven.
Around 2 p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 20, 2023, MPD officers said they responded to the 600 block of Shelby Dr. regarding a person being robbed. MPD said a woman was carjacked at gunpoint by two suspects, who drove away in her car.
MPD said the suspects were 14- and 15-year-old boys who they later learned were using a stolen gun.
At 2:29 p.m., officers saw the woman's stolen car driving westbound on Shelby Dr. Police began a pursuit after they tried to make a traffic stop and the suspects drove away.
The suspects crashed the stolen car into two other vehicles at Shelby and Elvis Presley. Then, investigators said they got out of the car and ran away, but police caught up to them quickly and took them into custody.
The Memphis Fire Department (MFD) originally said they took six people to the hospital. However, MPD said only five people were taken from the scene: the two suspects and three victims. Memphis Police initially said one was in critical condition, but later confirmed all five victims are in non-critical condition.
The two teenagers were charged with aggravated robbery, two counts of evading arrest, theft of property (motor vehicles), theft of property to wit firearm and possessing a firearm during the commission/attempt to commit a dangerous felony.
ABC24 will update this story as we learn more about this incident.
Local efforts to reduce criminal activity as well as recidivism
In the meantime, various efforts by local groups seek to tackle the crime issue in the Mid-South — one neighborhood at a time.
A Memphis police officer is taking action as violence and juvenile crime rise by using an after-school program he founded to combat the challenges the city is facing.
"That’s our objective — to get them on the right path," said Randy Taylor, the founder of "Hope Activated."
Taylor said he founded the nonprofit because he wanted to change the behavior and mindset of Memphis’ young people.
Data from The Tennessee Department of Corrections shows that 47 percent of people released from jail across the state return to jail. That rate in Shelby County is about 37 percent.
This is why Portia Moore is trying to show former inmates that changing your mindset, changes your outcome. She founded T.R.A.P. — the Transitional Re-entry Adult Program.
"The opportunities are here they just need to come out to get a hold of them," Moore said.
Shawn Banks — recently released from federal prison after nearly 13 years — joined Moore at an event in Orange Mound, offering resources ranging from mentorship to mental health services, career development like truck driving, film production and culinary arts.
"If we collaborate, we can reduce recidivism," Moore said.
In response to the rise in youth gun violence in Memphis, a group of current and former law enforcement officers held a "Youth Cease Fire Summit" in December.
Over 160 children in Memphis were treated for gunshot wounds in 2023. This alarming record number is part of what the Memphis Shelby Police Activities League (PAL) to stay active in the community.
"One has lost a brother. One has lost a sister. One has lost a parent, so they all have been affected," Memphis Shelby PAL founder Craig Littles said. "They're here to understand how to create and understand how to relate that anger and that frustration and that loneliness."
Young Memphians ages 11 to 18 participated in the summit. There were panel discussions, breakout rooms and other activities.
Organizers said the goal was teaching children how to resolve conflict without resorting to violence.
"What students can take away from the organization is being able to make good choices — also, to have a mentor; someone they can call on, someone that can offer advice," said Memphis Shelby PAL supporter Roderick Richmond.
Those looking to get involved with and/or donate to the various groups working to reduce crime in the Memphis area can do so with these links: