MEMPHIS, Tenn. — On Jan. 26, Memphis Police officers shot a person in a car who MPD said aimed a gun at him, leading to a car chase and eventual crash into an innocent car. One of the three suspects, Carleon Johnson, posted bond on Jan. 30.
The charges for Johnson, the driver of the suspect vehicle, have been released by police, and the charges for a 17-year-old suspect, who remains unnamed, have also been released.
MPD said that Johnson was charged with aggravated assault with LEOKA (Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted), two charges of aggravated assault with reckless driving, evading arrest in a vehicle pursuit, theft of property to motor vehicle valued between $10,000 and $60,000, possession of a handgun during a dangerous felony, driver's failure to exercise due care, no state license, possession of a prohibited weapon to wit: switch.
On Jan. 30, Johnson posted a $50,000 bond, according to court records, and he is expected back in court on Feb. 6.
The 17-year-old was charged with possession of a handgun by a juvenile and theft of property of a motor vehicle valued between $10,000 and $60,000, according to MPD.
According to Memphis Police, around 7:42 a.m., an officer saw a car, which later turned out to be stolen from West Memphis, Arkansas, parked in the middle of the street at Frayser-Raleigh Road and New Allen Road in Raleigh. MPD said three people were inside the car asleep, wearing masks and gloves. When the officer approached the car, he saw guns in their laps, causing him to go back to his squad car and call for backup.
"Can’t speculate as to why they were in the middle of the road," Memphis Police Deputy Chief Stephen Chandler said. "Evidently, they were tired and fell asleep in the vehicle at a red light, and the traffic left, and they didn’t.”
When more officers arrived, they approached the car, when Memphis Police said the driver woke up, picked up his gun and aimed it at the officer, according to the affidavit. Memphis Police said this caused two officers to shoot at him, hitting him twice.
The suspect car then took off north, causing police to follow. They chased the car to St. Elmo Ave. and Edenburg Dr. in Memphis' Rangeline neighborhood, where it crashed into an innocent car, injuring two people inside, a woman and a 10-year-old child.
The woman and child were taken to area hospitals in non-critical condition, and Memphis Police said they appeared to be in good spirits.
The person who was shot was taken to Regional One in critical condition, later being upgraded to non-critical condition.
Two people from the suspect car were taken into custody - 18-year-old Johnson, a 17-year-old person and a third person, who Memphis Police believe to be between the age of 17 and 20. He ran away from the scene and police are still looking for him. He's described as having dreads, wearing a gray hoodie and blue jeans.
Memphis Police said all three suspects went to the same school together, which they said they won't be identifying at this time.
Memphis Police said the two officers who fired their weapons will be relieved of duty pending the outcome of the investigation, which they said is ongoing.