A robbery gone awry at the Cordova shopping center in Memphis culminated in law enforcement shooting an individual yesterday. As confirmed by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, the incident occurred near the Dexter Ridge Shopping Center on North Germantown Parkway just before 1:30 PM. Federal agents, reportedly having lunch in the vicinity, intervened when a suspect, having just attempted a robbery at a nearby establishment, began to flee, as reported by Action News 5.
The encounter quickly escalated, leading to the officers firing at the suspect, who was critically injured. An eyewitness, Jay Jackson, recalled the suspect sprinting out of a store and dropping money. "He was running out of the store, and he dropped some money, and I picked it up, and I'm like…'hey bro, you dropped your money,'" he told WREG, moments before recognizing the danger of the unfolding situation.
The injured party from the initial shooting, a female victim, was swiftly transported to the hospital in critical condition, as stated by the Memphis police. While it remains unclear which federal agency's officers were involved in the subsequent shooting, TBI has confirmed that their officers were not part of this critical incident. The identity of the person shot by law enforcement has yet to be disclosed.
Cordova residents have expressed their dismay and concern over the shooting, reflecting on the changing nature of their community. "Oh, it's sad, it’s terrible. Cordova is just not what it used to be, it's sad," John Shelton lamented, per WREG, noting the tragic undertone this incident cast over the area, especially on a day meant for children's celebration. The ongoing investigation is spearheaded by the TBI at the request of the 30th Judicial District Attorney General Steve Mulroy, seeking clarity on the circumstances that led to the shooting.
The scene drew a substantial law enforcement response, with multiple agencies attending and cordoning off the area. Although many businesses operate at the intersection, locations such as an Ace Hardware, a gun shop, and a Corky's Ribs and BBQ were specifically mentioned in relation to a pronounced presence by the Commercial Appeal. No law enforcement officers were reported to have been injured during this incident.
