MEMPHIS, Tenn. — UPDATE: The man who allegedly shot a police officer in Hickory Hill on July 9 is scheduled to appear in court for a hearing Wednesday, July 20.
Giorgio Minnis, 34, first appeared in court for the first time July 11, and his bond was set at $1 million. Minnis was also assigned a public defender in court.
According to the Memphis Police Department (MPD), Minnis was responsible for a call they received at approximately 1:45 p.m. on Saturday about a stolen car.
Minnis, who police say is the nephew of the car's owner, was reportedly armed and took the stolen vehicle from the 4000 block of Navajo Avenue to the 5900 block of Hickory Hill Square. According to MPD, it was there that Minnis had fired a first shot while making threats to do harm to those inside another family member's residence. Minnis also held a male juvenile relative against his will at the residence.
After officers arrived on the scene, MPD said Minnis retrieved a handgun from his waistband and shot one officer. Police were then able to disarm Giorgio Minnis without firing a shot themselves, according to MPD.
An officer on the scene applied a tourniquet to the injured officer's wound until paramedics arrived, MPD said. The injured officer was taken to Regional One Hospital in critical condition, but was later upgraded to a critical, but stable condition. The officer was expected to recover at press time Saturday night. On Sunday, MPD said that the officer was at home recuperating.
Minnis was taken to 170 North Main for further investigation, according to MPD. Police said he was ultimately charged with criminal attempt felony to first degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon, convicted felon in possession of a handgun, possession of a firearm during a dangerous felony and theft of property $10,000 to $60,000.
According to Shelby County court records, Minnis was previously charged with aggravated assault in August of 2021, vandalism of $1,000 or less in September of 2021 and both aggravated assault and vandalism of $1,000 or less in November of 2021.
Memphis Police Association President Essica Cage-Rosario released a statement Saturday following the recent shooting incident.
Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland released a statement thanking the officer involved for his service.
Minnis is scheduled to appear in court Monday, July 11 at 9 a.m.