MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Two men are facing attempted-murder charges after an interstate shooting left four children and one man seriously injured on Tuesday, June 11.
Lorenzo Watson and Kendrick Ray are currently in the Shelby County Jail - Watson $1,000,000 bond and Ray with $1,000,000 bond for the shooting and $300,000 for another carjacking and shooting.
The Memphis Police Department responded to the shooting just after 5 p.m. at I-240 West near Poplar Avenue, where officers found an empty Chevrolet Malibu on the interstate with bullet holes. They were then told that five people had been taken by a private vehicle to the Baptist East hospital, all in critical condition.
Four of the victims — ages 3, 3, 3 and 8 — were transferred to Le Bonheur Children's Hospital. Their father, 30, was treated at Regional One Health and later released the same day, hospital officials said.
Baptist East officials said family members injured in an incident that occurred on the interstate received treatment at the hospital.
"We are supporting the Memphis Police Department who is investigating the situation. Our campus is safe and was not involved," Baptist East officials said. "Our staff is continuing to care for patients."
Around 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, officers found the suspect vehicle, a 2022 gray Mitsubishi Outlander, at 2700 North Germantown Parkway and began a pursuit. During the chase, the suspect fired gunshots at police in the area of James Rd. and North Highland, where one MPD officer had a wreck, according to Memphis Police. The officer was uninjured.
"Aviation continued to track the vehicle until it crashed in a ditch on Bethune Road, and both suspects fled on foot," MPD officials said. "After a foot pursuit, both were taken into custody."
Police discovered the Outlander had been stolen June 9, 2024, from the 2900 block of Palm Street.
MPD released the following information about the suspects:
Lorenzo Watson, 18, was charged with attempted first-degree murder (6X), employment of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony (6X), evading arrest on foot, evading arrest in a vehicle, and theft of property $10,000-$60,000.
Kendrick Ray, 21, was charged with attempted first-degree murder (6X), employment of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony (6X), evading arrest on foot, and theft of property $10,000-$60,000. Ray also had a warrant for carjacking (2X), employment of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony (3X), reckless endangerment (3X), and attempted first-degree murder. Ray had prior arrests for disorderly conduct, inciting to riot, criminal trespass, possession of a prohibited weapon, resisting official detention, theft of property $1,000 or less, and contributing to the delinquency of a child.
Investigators also said Ray was identified that morning as the one responsible for a carjacking and aggravated assault that occurred on June 3, 2024, at 583 South Parkway East.
