The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has confirmed the death of 35-year-old Timothy Cook, who was shot by Memphis Police on Friday night following an incident where he was accused of intentionally driving over an officer. Cook's passing was noted days after the event in Orange Mound, as reported by WREG. According to police, during a birthday celebration on Park Avenue, officers engaged a suspicious vehicle which resulted in Cook allegedly accelerating and striking an officer. After Cook was hit by gunfire, he drove off, eventually crashing into a bus stop, officials said.
However, live from the scene of shattered glass, a witness, who preferred to remain unnamed, shared a different narrative. They described how the car window was shot out, and Cook was pulled from the vehicle, leading them to initially believe he was deceased. The TBI has stated that it will be the Shelby County District Attorney’s Office that will determine the justification of the officer's actions, not them. This came into the backdrop of a community already grappling with crime and distrust of law enforcement, as Cook himself was known for his extensive criminal history, with records indicating nine warrants including several involving reckless driving and evading arrest, as reported by Action News 5.
Local organizations have not remained on the sidelines as crime persists to shape Orange Mound's narrative. Keith Leachman, leading a community group called "Stop the Killing, Cut the Beef," expressed that changes for the better are ardently being fought for. While Warren Swift of "Orange Mound Blight Patrol" and "Orange Mound Guns Down," emphasized community efforts such as 'blight patrol,' which aims to keep neighborhoods clean. Meanwhile, Cook's family, who question the Memphis Police Department's account of the incident, have considered seeking legal counsel, as stated by Action News 5.
While recent events have exacerbated tensions, community leaders like Swift continue advancing initiatives to sow into local youth, with Leachman's group adopting sports teams in the area to foster a sense of purpose and involvement among the younger residents. "Crime is way, way out of control," Leachman had told Action News 5, articulating a common sentiment in Orange Mound.
