Memphis had a violent Halloween weekend, including three homicides, according to the Memphis Police Department (MPD).
Around 10 a.m. Sunday, MPD officers responded to a shooting at the 400 block of Laclede Avenue, where they found two male shooting victims dead inside of a vehicle. MPD officers tweeted that they have not identified any suspects in the killings.
On Saturday, MPD officers responded to a shooting at 700 block of West Mitchell Road, where they located a male shooting victim. Authorities transported the victim to Regional One Health in Memphis, where medical officials pronounced him dead. MPD officials tweeted that they have no suspects, and they continue to investigate.
On Friday, MPD officials tweeted that they responded to separate shootings, one at the 400 block of Gainsville Avenue and another at the 3300 block of Lucibill Road. In both instances, the shooting victims remained in critical condition.
Officials with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Tennessee recently gathered with Memphis stakeholders and announced the “Better Community Summit,” they said, to reduce violent crime.
This, according to a press release that federal officials published mid-October.
“The U.S. Department of Justice is committed to work with law enforcement and other stakeholders to reduce violent crime in Memphis and West Tennessee,” according to the press release.
“To achieve this goal, the department has directed every U.S. Attorney’s Office to formulate a strategic plan designed to reduce violent crime. To that end, our office convened meetings with over 40 clergy leaders across the greater Memphis area to discuss violent crime and recommend possible solutions.”
Officials are scheduled to hold the first of five “Better Community Summits” at 10 a.m., Saturday, November 6, at The Pursuit of God Transformation Center, at 3759 North Watkins Street. Topics covered will include domestic violence prevention, gang talk, community conflict resolution, and de-escalation training, the press release said.
Beginning in 2022, organizers are scheduled to hold four remaining workshops in the areas of North Memphis, Whitehaven/Westwood, Hickory Hill/East Memphis, and Orange Mound/South Memphis, according to the press release.
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Chris Butler is an investigative journalist at The Tennessee Star. Follow Chris on Facebook. Email tips to [email protected].
Photo “Sheriff’s Line – Do Not Cross” by Tony Webster. CC BY-SA 2.0.
