MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Four children and a 30-year-old father were shot on Interstate 240 near Poplar Avenue during rush hour Tuesday afternoon.
According to court records, the incident began when the father tried to merge onto I-240 from Mount Moriah but was blocked by a gray SUV. Once he merged, the suspect began driving erratically and moved to the passenger side of the victim’s vehicle, opening fire.
Two suspects were arrested and charged after a chase that ended in Raleigh. The five victims are in critical condition.
Police responded at 5:12 p.m. to a shooting near I-240 West and Poplar Avenue, finding an empty Chevy Malibu with bullet holes. The five victims initially went to Baptist Hospital by private vehicle, with the 30-year-old father later transferred to Regional One.
Passers-by stopped to help the family. The four children, aged 2, 8, and two 3-year-old twins, were transferred to LeBonheur Children’s Hospital. One child was shot five times, another twice in the stomach, and one lost two fingers.
The suspect vehicle, a stolen 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander, was spotted by police at Wolfchase Galleria. After a pursuit, the suspects fired at officers near James Road and Highland. The chase ended on Mahue Drive when the vehicle crashed and the suspects fled on foot. They were tracked and apprehended by K9 officers.
Lorenzo Watson, 18, was charged with multiple counts of Attempted First-Degree Murder, Employment of a Firearm during a Dangerous Felony, Evading Arrest, and Theft of Property. Kendrick Ray, 21, faced similar charges and had additional warrants for carjacking, aggravated assault, and other offenses. When arrested, officers found three weapons in a Mario backpack.
This is the third shooting on I-240 this month. Memphis Police have not commented on whether they will increase patrols in the area.
Ray also had a warrant for a carjacking and aggravated assault on June 3 on South Parkway East, where a woman was shot three times in the leg while defending herself during a car theft.
