A UK tourist was shot this past weekend while visiting Downtown Memphis, Tennessee. The woman from St. Neots, England, was wounded during what seems to be a dispute between two vehicles. According to Action News 5, the shooting occurred near the Arrive Hotel on South Main Street just before 8 p.m. on Saturday.
The incident involved a black Dodge Challenger and a silver sedan exchanging gunfire. The Challenger had been reported stolen two hours earlier. A 28-year-old British woman and her companion were caught in the crossfire; she was grazed on the left side of her head and shot in the right foot. After the chaos, Memphis Police found the stolen vehicle shot up near MLK Avenue and Second Street. Eric Button expressed the community's shock, saying to Action News 5, "It's a great vibe here," reflecting on the tragedy affecting a tourist in his city.
In efforts to locate the suspects, the Memphis Police Department has circulated photos and requested public assistance. WREG reports that more than 30 spent shell casings were recovered on the scene of the incident, and although no arrests have been made, the MPD has urged anyone with information to contact CrimeStoppers.
Local resident Greg Rolfe noted the irony, saying to Action News 5, "Particularly across the street from the hotel where the person that shot Dr. King was, and the irony of violence of that particular sort in an area that should be embracing peace."
Ensuring public safety and bringing culprits to justice remains a priority for the Memphis Police Department, as highlighted on their Facebook post, which provided details of the ongoing case and options for the public to submit tips anonymously.
