MEMPHIS, Tenn — A Memphis Police officer and one other person are dead, and another officer was critically injured after a shooting turned into a serious crash involving a gray Nissan and a police car early Friday morning in the Downtown Memphis area.
Police dispatch said first responders were called to the intersection of Mississippi Boulevard and Danny Thomas Boulevard around 3 a.m. for a crash.
Responding officers located three injured men at the scene. Two of the victims were MPD officers, the third was the driver of the Nissan, who was also suffering from a gunshot wound.
Investigators disclosed the initial shooting took place near S. Parkway E and Mississippi Boulevard. There was a disagreement between the driver of the Nissan and another man at the scene on S. Parkway E, says MPD.
All three of the men were transported to Regional One in critical condition. The MPD officer and the driver of the Nissan were pronounced dead at the hospital. The area of the crash was blocked off due to the investigation.
MPD later identified the fallen officer as 34-year Demetrice Johnson. The Nissan driver was later identified as 22-year-old Rantavious Johnson.
"The men and women of the Memphis Police Department are heartbroken as we mourn the loss of Officer Demetrice Johnson," interim Chief CJ Davis said. "Today's tragic accident is a harsh and profound reminder of the dangers our officers face daily as they serve our community. We ask for continued prayer for all impacted and for the speedy recovery of our injured officer."
Johnson began his career with MPD in May 2023, graduating from the Training Academy in March 2024 and assigned to the North Main Station.
The Tennessee Highway patrol has been contacted to investigate the crash and MPD's Homicide Bureau will investigate the shooting.
Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr. released the following statement:
I was deeply saddened upon hearing the news of the passing of a Memphis Police Officer this morning downtown Memphis. On behalf of all the men and women of the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, I offer our prayers and deepest condolences to the officer's family, friends, and the Memphis Police Department. We also pray that the other police officer critically injured will have a speedy recovery. The Memphis Police Officer died protecting the citizens of Memphis and Shelby County, and we are truly heartbroken.
Memphis Mayor Paul Young also spoke on the incident:
We grieve alongside the Memphis Police Department and our community today. Our prayers are with the families as we remain focused on the work of creating a safer community for all.