MEMPHIS, Tenn. — According to Memphis Police, a teenager was shot in Parkway Village on Monday.
On Dec. 18, 2023, at 6:32 p.m., officers said they responded to a shooting in the 4800 block of Bridgedale.
Police said they found a teenage boy injured, and he was taken to LeBonheur in critical condition. However, he was later upgraded to stable condition.
A man has been detained in the incident, police said.
We will update this story as more information becomes available.
Local efforts to reduce criminal activity as well as recidivism
Various efforts by local groups seek to tackle the crime issue in the Mid-South — one neighborhood at a time.
A Memphis police officer is taking action as violence and juvenile crime rise by using an after-school program he founded to combat the challenges the city is facing.
"That’s our objective — to get them on the right path," said Randy Taylor, the founder of "Hope Activated."
Taylor said he founded the nonprofit because he wanted to change the behavior and mindset of Memphis’ young people.
Data from The Tennessee Department of Corrections shows that 47 percent of people released from jail across the state return to jail. That rate in Shelby County is about 37 percent.
This is why Portia Moore is trying to show former inmates that changing your mindset, changes your outcome. She founded T.R.A.P. — the Transitional Re-entry Adult Program.
"The opportunities are here, they just need to come out to get ahold of them," Moore said.
Shawn Banks — recently released from federal prison after nearly 13 years — joined Moore at an event in Orange Mound, offering resources ranging from mentorship to mental health services, career development like truck driving, film production and culinary arts.
"If we collaborate, we can reduce recidivism," Moore said.
In response to the rise in youth gun violence in Memphis, a group of current and former law enforcement officers held a "Youth Cease Fire Summit" in December.
Over 160 children in Memphis were treated for gunshot wounds in 2023. This alarming record number is part of what the Memphis Shelby Police Activities League (PAL) to stay active in the community.
"One has lost a brother. One has lost a sister. One has lost a parent, so they all have been affected," Memphis Shelby PAL founder Craig Littles said. "They're here to understand how to create and understand how to relate that anger and that frustration and that loneliness."
Young Memphians ages 11 to 18 participated in the summit. There were panel discussions, breakout rooms and other activities.
Organizers said the goal was teaching children how to resolve conflict without resorting to violence.
"What students can take away from the organization is being able to make good choices — also, to have a mentor; someone they can call on, someone that can offer advice," said Memphis Shelby PAL supporter Roderick Richmond.
Those looking to get involved with and/or donate to the various groups working to reduce crime in the Memphis area can do so with these links:
