Commuters on I-240 West faced a significant delay yesterday evening, as Memphis Police responded to a distressing incident. At approximately 5:35 p.m., officers were dispatched to a scene where a woman had been shot near I-240 and Walnut Grove Road, according to Action News 5. The victim, in a desperate bid for her life, managed to transport herself to St. Francis Hospital, arriving in critical condition.
The violent event necessitated the closure of the westbound lanes, creating a stymied flow of traffic that lasted for hours. As part of their search for evidence, investigators shut down traffic between Walnut Grove and Poplar Avenue, on the lookout for shell casings. The city of Memphis has been no stranger to shootings this year, with multiple incidents occurring on I-240, including one instance believed to be incited by road rage, resulting in juvenile victims. Subsequent to the investigation, traffic was restored, but the questions about the perpetrator persisted. "Police say there is no suspect information at this time but this is still an ongoing investigation," noted a statement obtained by WREG.
The city is dealing with the lingering effects of previous incidents as 18-year-old Lorenzo Watson and 21-year-old Kendrick Ray confront their own consequences in jail. Both face multiple charges, including six counts of attempted first-degree murder stemming from a road rage incident. Their alleged actions have fostered fear and unrest in the community, according to Local Memphis.
