Police: Memphis Gunman Has Been Taken Into Custody After Nearly Three-Hour Shooting Spree
00:46 GMT 08.09.2022 (Updated: 03:50 GMT 08.09.2022)
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Police identified the suspect as 19-year-old Ezekiel Kelly, who was reported as initially driving a light blue Infiniti and later a gray Toyota SUV. His motives and the exact number of victims are not clear at the moment.
Officials with Tennessee's Memphis Police Department took into custody a 19-year-old gunman who allegedly carried out a shooting spree late Wednesday for a period of nearly three hours. Police initially described the teen as "armed and dangerous" after reports emerged of several individuals being shot.
Local media reports indicated that at least two shootings were reported in Memphis at the start of the gunman's spree: a fatal shooting at a BP service station on South Parkway and a woman who had been wounded and is currently in serious condition on Norris Road close to I-240.
Officials have yet to give a tally on those targeted during the shooting; however, some reports have said at least five people may have been killed.
No motive for the shooting spree has been detailed by authorities.
Earlier, investigators confirmed Kelly had been spotted driving a gray Toyota with Arkansas AEV63K license plates, asking residents to call emergency services immediately if the car was seen.
#BREAKING: large presence of Memphis police officers at the BP gas station at the Norris Road exit off of I 240. This is one of several shooting scenes connected to the same suspect. We are headed to next scene on East Trigg. STAY HOME, #Memphis. pic.twitter.com/KCKVm5m23E
— Joyce Peterson (@MemphoNewsLady) September 8, 2022
Sources within law enforcement have suggested an earlier shooting of a 24-year-old man might have been connected to the suspect.
Possible Memphis Shooting Locations map via WREG. pic.twitter.com/mgauxlSvjq
— Moshe Schwartz (@YWNReporter) September 8, 2022
Investigators have stated that the individual was taping himself shooting people on Facebook* Live while allegedly driving a blue or silver Infiniti. The man's precise whereabouts were unknown to the police for quite some time.
The suspect is a 19-year-old male Black driving a light blue Infiniti. pic.twitter.com/PkblUXJu8v
— Memphis Police Dept (@MEM_PoliceDept) September 8, 2022
Suspect per MPD pic.twitter.com/atcQwWn5vs
— George Brown (@georgebrownmem) September 8, 2022
The City of Memphis later released a statement on Twitter, saying: "If you do not need to be out, please stay home!"
Some local media reported that the gunman crossed the state line and traveled to Arkansas and Mississippi.
A couple of hours after the live broadcast began, Facebook allegedly deleted the suspect's page.
A graphic video, presumably from the suspect's livestream, has been widely shared on social media. Beware, the video may not be suitable for some viewers.
Police have removed the tape outside the Autozone on Jackson where the suspect live-streamed the shooting. Employees just left the store. pic.twitter.com/o7xUf89o8V
— Kate Bieri (@KateBieri) September 8, 2022
The University of Memphis was temporarily placed on lockdown as investigators worked to track down the gunman early on during the manhunt.
*The activity of Meta (Facebook and Instagram) is banned in Russia over extremism.
