UPDATE:
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation identified the victim of Wednesday’s shooting as 47-year-old Alfonso Ivy.
UPDATE:
State Rep. Justin Pearson (D-Memphis) called for an investigation into every Memphis shooting by the Memphis Safe Task Force personnel who “who treat our city like enemy territory.”
The call comes after task force members shot and killed two suspects in Memphis so far this week.
“My worst fears have been realized,” Pearson said in a statement. “Two Memphis residents are dead in four days. That’s not public safety. That’s a tragedy playing out on our streets.
“I am calling on the [Tennessee Bureau of Investigation] and the [Federal Bureau of Investigation] to launch a full, independent investigation into every shooting this task force has been involved in since it arrived — not just this week’s, all of them.
“And I am calling, again, for this task force to be disbanded immediately. Memphis does not need soldiers and federal agents patrolling our streets. We need to stop losing our neighbors.”
ORIGINAL POST:
The Memphis Safe Task Force (MSTF) shot and killed a man in an East Memphis hotel Wednesday morning, the second person killed by the group this week.
At about 8:30 a.m. Wednesday, a task force group attempted to serve a warrant on a man at the hotel located in the 6500 block of Poplar. That is roughly the area around International Paper and the Jewish Community Center.
“For reasons still under investigation, the situation escalated, resulting in a DEA agent firing into a room, striking a man and killing him,” the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) said in a statement. “No law enforcement officers were hurt in the incident.”
The TBI is investigating the situation at the request of the Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy.
This killing comes after Tennessee National Guard soldiers shot and killed 20-year-old Tyrin Johnson early Sunday morning near AutoZone Park.
The TBI said Memphis police officers pursued a man armed with handgun at nearly 4 a.m. Sunday. The man had reportedly fired shots in the area.
“National Guard soldiers, on assignment as part of the Memphis Safe Task Force, were nearby and joined the pursuit,” the TBI said. “For reasons under investigation, the situation escalated, resulting in two National Guard soldiers firing upon Johnson, striking and killing him. No law enforcement officers were hurt in the incident.”
Here is how the U.S. Marshals Service described Wednesday’s shooting in a statement to reporters:
“Earlier today, members of the Memphis Safe Task Force were involved in an officer-involved shooting in the 6500 block of Poplar Avenue. Federal and local law enforcement officers were attempting to serve a warrant on a wanted fugitive facing felony drug charges out of Shelby County.
“After issuing numerous verbal commands for the individual to surrender, officers made a forced entry into the building. Additional commands were given for the individual to exit. During the encounter, the individual pointed a handgun at members of the Memphis Safe Task Force. Task force members responded to the immediate threat by discharging their firearms.
“Officers immediately rendered first aid until emergency medical personnel arrived on scene. No law enforcement officers were injured during the incident.
“Consistent with policy, officer-involved shootings involving the Memphis Safe Task Force are investigated. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is conducting the investigation into this incident. Because this remains an active investigation, the U.S. Marshals Service will not provide additional information at this time.
“The Memphis Safe Task Force will remain in Memphis since dangerous criminals are still on the street. Attempted violence against law enforcement will never be tolerated. President Trump’s Memphis Safe Task Force has made the city of Memphis safer by arresting criminals, driving down crime, and locating missing children.”
