MEMPHIS, TN – A suspect is in custody following a shooting incident that resulted in a car crash near Whitehaven High School, leaving two teenagers injured and a vehicle lodged in a brick wall, according to Memphis Police Department (MPD). The incident unfolded in a matter of minutes, causing a wave of panic in the Whitehaven community.
The shooting was initially reported near Elvis Presley Boulevard and McClure Avenue, just moments before the high school was scheduled to dismiss for the day. As a result, both Whitehaven High School and Whitehaven Elementary were put on lockdown. Kenny Lee, vice president of the non-profit organization Ride of Tears, rushed to the scene upon hearing the news. “I immediately stopped everything I was doing to get over here,” he said.
The MPD confirmed that the two victims, aged 17 and 18, were in the car at the time of the shooting. The driver, the 18-year-old, was grazed by a bullet. A local woman, who wished to remain anonymous, expressed her shock at the incident.
Both the MPD and Memphis Shelby County Schools clarified that the shooting did not occur on school property. Lee expressed relief that the situation was not worse. “My heart is always racing because I’m hoping for the best and most of the time it’s the worst. In this case, I’m feeling relief,” he said.
According to reports, the suspect fled from the scene in a green car. However, by late Wednesday, the police confirmed that a person had been detained in connection with the shooting, although no further details were released.