Suspect shoots three people, then murders Memphis officer with his vehicle
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Near Beale Street in Memphis, there was a multiple shooting last night. After the suspect shot three people, he murdered a Memphis police officer with his car as he was fleeing the crime scene. Officer Verdell Smith, 46, was pronounced dead from his injuries at 10:45 pm yesterday. Two of the people, who were shot at a restaurant, are in critical condition and the third was shot at a Bass Pro Shop and is non-critical. The suspect is now in custody and awaiting charges. Officer Smith was engaged to be married and had three children. The violence in Memphis has totally gotten out of hand and this time it cost the life of a beloved officer and father. Tragic doesn’t begin to cover it.
From Newser:
A Memphis police officer who was struck by the fleeing vehicle of a man suspected in a shooting near the city’s fabled Beale Street that left three other people injured died Saturday night, reports the AP. Officer Verdell Smith, 46, was pronounced dead from his injuries at 10:45pm Saturday, Memphis Police Department Director Mike Rallings said at a news conference. Police said two people were taken to the hospital in critical condition after being shot by the suspect on North Main about 10pm Saturday. They say the suspect then ran to a Bass Pro Shops and shot a male employee. The condition of that victim is non-critical. Police said the suspect then fled in a vehicle and later struck Smith as he worked to clear the scene. The unidentified suspect is in custody and is expected to face charges.
Rallings said Smith was an 18-year police veteran who is survived by a father, fiance, son, and two daughters. “He’s a man’s man and he was an officer’s officer. He was definitely a great father,” Rallings said. “He loved his son—always talked about him, always had him with him. It’s not going to be the same without him.” “I am angry this morning—angry at the senseless loss of a dedicated public servant, and angry at the absolutely unacceptable level of violence in our city,” Mayor Jim Strickland said in a statement, per CNN. “We must not accept this as our norm. I most certainly will not, and I will continue to act to make our city safer.”
Officer Smith’s death follows a string of shootings near the city’s famed Beale Street. Smith, an 18-year veteran of the force, was struck by the suspect shortly afterward as officers were working to clear the area. He attempted to flee the scene in a silver vehicle and police lost him on nearby Interstate 55. However, he returned to the crime scene and hit Smith with his vehicle. The suspect tried to flee on foot, but was picked up by officers. Officer Smith was rushed to the Regional Medical Center where he died. There’s a heavy police presence in the area as they are still working multiple scenes. No charges have been filed at this time as it is an ongoing investigation. A car at the scene caught on fire and was badly burned. It is unclear whether that car was the suspect’s. This is just horrific – not just that three people were shot, but because the thug left the crime scene and came back and killed this officer. Hopefully, this guy will get the death penalty and be sent straight to Hades for what he has done. My prayers are with this officer’s family and with his fellow officers. Memphis is a very dangerous place these days.
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