MEMPHIS, Tenn. (localmemphis.com) – Despite extra police patrols on Memphis’ highways, a Memphis woman claims she’s the latest victim of an interstate shooting.
The woman is fine, but her car was hit on I-240 near the Poplar exit Wednesday. Local 24 News got exclusive video of the car riddled in bullets.
Interstate 240 near Walnut Grove is back open as of Wednesday evening. It was closed for hours as investigators looked for evidence in this latest shooting. Police are trying to figure out where exactly was the car hit and if the victim had any relationship to the shooter.
“It’s crazy, mind-blowing, and it keeps happening and happening. I pray for who’s doing it and whoever it is happening to, the victims as well,” said Bartlett resident, Myles Branch.
Memphis Police say officers have responded to more than 30 highway shootings since January of 2019, and now they may have one lore to add to the list.
“It can really be misleading, especially when you come across these situations, because you never know who the bad guy is,” Allen Gutierrez said.
Investigators spent hours Wednesday afternoon trying to find any evidence to lead them to the latest offender. Traffic was backed up for hours as police investigated.
“They were doing better, they are making progress, and that’s good they’re making progress,” Branch said.
That progress is thanks to a 6-week operation called Operation Grizzly Bear that kicked off in July. Patrols from THP, MPD, and Shelby County issued more than 2,000 citations and arrested dozens of people during that operation.
Memphis Police also had Operation Safe Travel going on during the same time. Since January, Memphis Police have made more than 80,000 stops and recovered more than 100 weapons.
“I thought that things would change, I thought that the violence would stop on the interstate. It made me feel safer driving, Branch said.
Memphis Police say officers will continue to patrol the interstate for weeks to come. The latest shooting remains under investigation.