MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A second suspect arrested after a reported shootout with Memphis Police that left another man dead has been released from jail without bond, according to court records.
Tadarius Nichols, a part time Memphis Parks worker, is charged with theft of property and evading arrest. According to court records, bond was set at $20,000 on Sept. 17. But then the next day, on Sept. 18, he was released on his own recognizance.
In a statement, Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy's office said, "Our office strongly advocated for a higher bond in this case, as we believe the suspect posed a significant threat to both public safety and the safety of officers. However, the judge ultimately decided to release the suspect on their own recognizance. While we respect the court's decision, we disagree with it.”
It all began about 2 p.m. on Sept. 16. when MPD officers said they located a carjacked vehicle in the area of Watkins St. and Dellwood Ave. in Frayser. They said the the white Dodge Charger had been carjacked around midnight.
"He just jumped out his car... He came on my side of the car, on the driver's side, with a long shotgun and pointed at me and told me to get out the car," the victim of the carjacking told police. "And by this time, another guy came on my right side, on the passenger side, with the nine millimeter."
Police said they found two men in the stolen car. When officers tried to do a traffic stop, they said the suspects refused and took off. At the intersection of Frayser and Adair, investigators said the car stopped and the suspects ran out of the car.
When officers chased after the suspects, police said one of the men fired shots at officers. They said the officers returned fire and hit the suspect, according to MPD.
A Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) statement released around 6:40 p.m. said "the suspects fled on foot, armed with guns, causing officers to fire shots."
Police said the man who fired shots was died at the the scene, and a weapon was found near him. TBI has identified the man as Tremayne D. French.
Nichols, 25, was taken into custody without injuries, according to an affidavit. The affidavit also said Nichol's admitted to investigators that he tried to run from police in the stolen vehicle, but denied any involvement in the initial carjacking.
No officers were injured, MPD said.
The incident took place near Cornerstone Preparatory School Denver Campus, which was placed on lockdown.
The TBI was called in to complete an independent investigation of the incident, MPD said.
