MEMPHIS, Tenn. — There have been multiple separate shootings between Friday and Sunday in the city of Memphis, according to the Memphis Police Department (MPD).
A one-year-old is dead after a shooting happened Saturday morning, according to the Memphis Police Department (MPD).
Officers said they responded at 2 a.m. to the 2400 block of Wellons Avenue. A child was transported to Regional One in critical condition but later died, according to MPD.
There is no suspect information available from MPD as of press time.
Police encourage anyone with additional information related to this incident to call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-2274 (CASH) with tips.
MPD said another shooting took place at 1428 Airways Boulevard. Officers said they responded shortly after 2 a.m. and that two men were transported to Regional One. One of these men was transported in critical condition and the other transported in non-critical condition, according to MPD.
The men were involved in a physical altercation before the shooting took place, according to MPD.
Police encourage anyone with additional information related to this incident to call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-2274 (CASH) with tips.
MPD said another shooting took place at 302 Mill Avenue. One man was transported to Regional One in critical condition. Three people were detained on the scene, according to MPD.
Police encourage anyone with additional information related to this incident to call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-2274 (CASH) with tips.
Officers said another shooting took place at 3074 Nathan on Sunday and that they responded shortly before 3:30 a.m. One man was reportedly transported to Regional One in critical condition and there is no suspect information available from MPD as of press time.
Officers said another shooting took place at 4070 Elvis Presley Boulevard on Saturday night and that they responded shortly before 9 p.m. One man was transported to critical condition in Regional One and the suspect was known but left the scene, according to MPD.
MPD said this remains an ongoing investigation.
MPD said another shooting took place Sunday night at 2390 Cable Avenue. Officers said they responded shortly before 6 p.m. and that one woman was transported to Regional One in critical condition.
There is no suspect information available from MPD as of press time.
Police encourage anyone with additional information related to this incident to call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-2274 (CASH) with tips.
Officers said they responded to the scene toward 7 p.m. on Dec. 17. There they found a woman who was suffering from multiple gunshot wounds, according to MPD.
Video surveillance from the area shows a red Toyota Tacoma pull alongside the victim's vehicle with multiple gunshots being fired into it, according to MPD..
Investigators said the Toyota Tacoma seems to be from the 2000s with an extended cab, 4x4 with larger all-terrain or tires made for driving through mud. They also said the vehicle has a truck bed rack with an amber or yellow light bar.
No charges have been filed and this is an ongoing investigation, according to MPD.
Police encourage anyone with additional information related to this incident to call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-2274 (CASH) with tips.
Taking a look at Mid-South crime after Memphis' homicide record breaks
Toward the end of November, it was reported that there had been 352 homicides and over 14,000 stolen cars this year alone in just Memphis. MPD says repeat offenders and those younger than 18 are key players in the city's crime epidemic.
MPD also said 20% of all those charged were charged with other crimes previously.
Federal, state and local leaders all met for a closed public safety summit in September to discuss possible solutions to crime. Much of that discussion was centered around dealing with violent repeat offenders.
“We all have recognized that we have a serious crime problem," Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy said following the summit. "We have a crime crisis right now and it requires an all hands on deck approach to tackle the problem.”
Mulroy said city, county and state leaders discussed the court system as well as data-sharing between departments and how to tackle some of the environmental challenges that lead to crime “hot spots.”
“Not every one of these things will be able to be done overnight," Mulroy said. "We hope we’ll be able to implement some of these things in a 6-to-18-month timeframe.”
Local efforts to reduce criminal activity as well as recidivism
In the meantime, 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 non-profit because he wanted to change the behavior and mindset of Memphis’ young people.
Portia Moore is trying to show former inmates that changing your mindset, changes your outcome. That's the idea behind the Transitional Re-entry Adult Program.
Data from The Tennessee Department of Correction's shows that 47 percent of people released from jail across the state return to jail. That rate in Shelby County is about 37 percent
"The opportunities are here they just need to come out to get a hold of them," T.R.A.P. founder Portia 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" on Saturday, Dec. 16.
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: