The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office (SCSO) is warning Tennesseans to refrain from participating in celebratory gunfire this July 4 holiday with a new public service announcement posted to social media.
On Tuesday, SCSO posted a minute-long video showing a man shooting off a handgun into the air during a July 4 cookout with family and friends. Moments later, another man at the holiday celebration is, what appears to be fatally, struck by the bullet as it descends.
Celebratory Gunfire PSA:
As the 4th of July approaches and we celebrate the birth of our nation, Sheriff Bonner would like to remind you not to use celebratory gunfire when celebrating the 4th of July. pic.twitter.com/8tXBXw8xB4
— ShelbyTNSheriff (@ShelbyTNSheriff) July 2, 2024
Law enforcement personnel and first responders are then seen providing aid to the man as family and friends look distraught.
That’s when Shelby County Sheriff Floyd Bonner Jr. appears on the screen, saying, “As the sheriff of Shelby County, I would like to strongly remind you the importance of not engaging in celebratory gunfire.”
Bonner encouraged Tennesseans to celebrate Independence Day by other means, such as attending community events such as fireworks displays and parades.
“Instead, we encourage you to find alternative ways to celebrate, and that could be attending community fireworks displays, family-friendly events, or parades. Remember, guns are not toys. At the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office, we want to keep you and your loved ones safe as you celebrate,” Bonner added.
The City of Memphis’ official Independence Day fireworks show will occur at Liberty Park from 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
The fireworks show, called “Liberty For All,” is presented by Memphis Parks and will feature live entertainment, a DJ, food trucks, carnival games, a movie, and a host of other activities for the entire family, including the “largest, and most spectacular fireworks show in Memphis.
Another community event for Independence Day happening in Memphis this week is the “All-American Weekend” at Elvis Presley’s iconic Graceland home, which runs from Thursday through Saturday.
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Kaitlin Housler is a reporter at The Tennessee Star and The Star News Network. Follow Kaitlin on X / Twitter.
