MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation added additional charges of Second Degree Murder to the 17-year-old charged in the deadly shooting Memphis Police Officer Joseph McKinney on April 12.
On Wednesday, the Shelby County District Attorney's Office told ABC24 that information from the investigation leads them to believe he was killed by friendly fire.
This information comes after Shelby County D.A. Steve Mulroy requested the 17-year-old suspect in the case be charged with 13 counts of attempted murder in adult court. Thirteen officers were on the scene at the time of the shooting. When asked why the teen wasn't charged with murder, the D.A.'s Office cited friendly fire - an accidental shooting by a fellow Memphis Police officer - as the reason why.
The D.A.'s Office said, regardless of the exact cause of McKinney's death, they place the blame solely on the two teen suspects.
"We believe the 17-year-old’s reprehensible actions are still the real cause of Officer McKinney’s death," The D.A.'s Office said in a statement. "Should a legal avenue open up for additional prosecution, be assured we will pursue it."
Interim Memphis Police Chief CJ Davis issued a statement in response to the revelation, saying they're still focused on honoring and mourning McKinney:
"We continue to mourn the death of Officer Joseph McKinney, as we learn this new information.
The facts remain that our officers responded to a very violent encounter that tragically resulted in Officer McKinney being fatally shot.
We continue to support Officer McKinney's family and the Memphis Police Department in honor of his valor. Please continue to pray for the family and all involved."
The Memphis Police Association also issued a statement in response, reminding people to focus on the cause of the deadly shooting.
"While the MPA, the department and this City continue to grieve the loss of Ofc. Joseph McKinney, we must focus on the cause of this incident. Ofc. McKinney made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the citizens of this city from two individuals that chose to become violent when encountering police.
It was a result of the suspects' decisions to become violent that led to the exchange of gunfire which led to the tragic loss of life. We will continue to focus on Ofc. McKinney's valor in the face of danger and the sacrifice he made for the citizens of this City."
McKinney died on April 12 in an early morning shooting that injured two other Memphis Police officers, and left one suspect dead with another, the 17-year-old, in critical condition.
The 17-year-old remains hospitalized, as of Friday, April 19, according to the TBI.