May 2024. BLUES Vol. 40 No. 5

AROUND THE COUNTRY

AROUND THE COUNTRY MEMPHIS, TN. Memphis police officer Joesph McKinney, who was shot and killed while investigating a suspicious vehicle, may have been killed by friendly fire. MEMPHIS, TN – The Shelby County District Attorney’s office said Wednesday evening that evidence indicates a Memphis Police Department officer killed in a shootout Friday was killed by friendly fire. The DA’s office said it will not be proceeding with murder charges against a 17-year-old suspect. However, the 17-year-old, who was critically injured in the shootout which left Memphis Police Officer Joseph McKinney and an 18-year-old suspect dead, has been charged with 13 felony counts, the DA’s office said in an email statement. “Although current information indicates friendly fire, we believe the 17-year-old’s reprehensible actions are still the real cause of Officer McKinney’s death. Should a legal avenue open up for additional prosecution, be assured we will pursue it,” the DA’s office said in an updated press release on the office’s website. The 17-year-old will not be named at this time because he is currently charged as a juvenile. The DA’s office said it has filed a motion to prosecute the teen as an adult moving forward. The 17-year-old is charged with attempted first-degree murder, 36 The Blues - May ‘24 assault against a first responder and aggravated assault in connection to the shootout. He is also charged with theft of property ,000-,000, possessing a firearm during the commission or attempt to commit a dangerous felony, possession of a prohibited weapon and evading arrest. The DA’s office said the charges, should he be convicted, carry a maximum sentence of 400 years. “The charges we are pursuing against this defendant underscore the gravity of this tragic incident,” the DA’s office said in the statement. Memphis Police Department Chief Cerelyn “C.J” Davis released a statement Wednesday afternoon after the district attorney’s office disclosed the new information relating to McKinney’s death. “We continue to mourn the death of Officer Joseph McKinney, as we learn this new information,” Davis said in a statement. “The facts remain that our officers responded to a very violent encounter that resulted in Officer McKinney being fatally shot. We continue to support Officer McKinney’s family and the Memphis Police Department in honor of his valor. Please continue to pray for the family and all involved.” OFFICER JOSEPH MCKINNEY The Memphis Police Association, the union that represents most of MPD, echoed Davis’ sentiments, saying that the union will focus on McKinney’s “valor in the face of danger and the sacrifice he made for the citizens of this city.” “While the MPA, the department and this city continue to grieve the loss of Officer Joseph McKinney, we must focus on the cause of this tragic incident,” the MPA said in a press release. “Officer McKinney made the ultimate sacrifice to protect the citizens of this city from two individuals that chose to become violent when encountering police.

SAVES LIVES THE #1 NON-LETHAL TOOL FOR DAILY PATROL • CORRECTIONS • AREA DENIAL LIVE-X LIVE-MAXX LIVE-X VXR PEPPERBALL PROJECTILES • More accurate than the competition • Industry leading in duration and dispersion • Non-flammable, pharmaceutical grade INERT VXR VKS PRO • The ultimate non-lethal launcher • Dual feed system, uses either high-accuracy VXR or standard round projectiles • Adjustable folding foregrip; M-LOK Handguard TRP • Low profile and lightweight • Reliable and accurate • Uses either high-accuracy VXR or standard round projectiles Why Adopt the PepperBall Non-Lethal System? • PepperBall saves lives, improves officer safety and morale and strengthens community relations. • When used in daily patrol, PepperBall decreases agency liability risk by lowering the probability of an officer using lethal force. • Agencies can equip their patrol divisions for a fraction of the cost of investigating and resolving other force methods. • PepperBall gives agencies versatility: one launcher can address many different scenarios. CHECK OUT OUR NEW PRODUCTS AT PEPPERBALL.COM BLAST • Ideal for close range use by Law Enforcement or Corrections • 3x PAVA payload per shot • Effective for up to a 10 ft distance; refillable • NEW for 2024 - the BLAST-GB Glassbreaker! The Blues - May ‘24 37 © Copyright 2024 PepperBall