MEMPHIS, Tenn. — After the Memphis Police Association (MPA) spoke out against the bond amount set for the man accused of shooting a Memphis Police officer during a traffic stop on I-240, a judge increased the bond.
Geronimo Kee, 22, is charged with attempted first-degree murder, intentionally evading arrest in an automobile, employment of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony and speeding. Kee remains in the Shelby County Jail. The bond was originally set at $175,000 bond. On Tuesday, a judge increased that amount to $500,000.
In a statement posted to social media after Monday's hearing, the MPA said it was “stunned” to learn the bond was set at $175,000 for the attempted murder of a police officer.
“Setting low bonds for violent criminals, including those who commit acts of violence against police, not only poses a threat to public safety, but it also frustrates the brave men and women in blue who go out every single day and night and risk it all to protect and serve the citizens of this great city,” the statement read.
The statement goes on to say that while Tennessee law requires bail for a non-capital offense and that it must not be excessive, setting bail at any amount “places the safety of the general public and those who protect them in jeopardy and should be unacceptable.”
It continued, "It is past time for a stand to be taken in the name of public safety and hold those who break the law truly accountable."
According to MPD, the officer was shot near I-240 and South Parkway around 4:30 a.m., March 8, 2024, during a traffic stop. According to the affidavit, the officer stopped a black Nissan Sentra that had been going 81 mph in a 55 mph zone.
During the stop, investigators said Geronimo Kee refused to sign the ticket, and when the officer went to arrest him after arguing over the signing for nearly 15 minutes, Kee fired, hitting the officer several times. A second officer fired as Kee sped off, according to police. The affidavit said Kee told the officers "You're going to have to kill me" several times as they tried to get him to sign the ticket.
The officer was taken to Regional One Health in critical condition and has since been released from the hospital.
The Sentra was found abandoned in the 500 block of Dempster. Investigators said the back window had been shot and there was blood on the armrest. They said Kee was tracked down at his girlfriend’s apartment and arrested. They said Kee appeared to have been shot in the hand and he was taken to Regional One Hospital.
The others who were at the apartment were detained. MPD said Zaire Kee, 24, Tezaree Pennington, 42, Kennedy Williams, 23, and Malik Oliver, 25, were charged with accessory after the fact two wit: first-degree murder. All are out of jail after posting bond.