A walk home from Riverview Community Park turned terrifying for a South Memphis 7-year-old on Wednesday, when a man allegedly shoved him to the ground, pulled a gun and stole the $10 he had in his pocket, according to police.
Investigators say the boy was walking away from the park with a friend when a man pushed him down, pointed a black handgun at him and took two $5 bills from his pocket. The suspect also took money from the child’s friend, then ran off into an open field. The 7-year-old was not physically hurt, but the encounter has rattled families in the area.
Police say the robbery happened on March 18 on Kansas Street near Riverview Community Park. The suspect was described as wearing a black jacket and black jeans. As reported by WREG, investigators have released the description to the public as they work to track down the person responsible.
Police seeking tips
Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH (528-2274). Tips can be submitted anonymously.
CrimeStoppers also offers an online tip form and additional ways to send in leads that could help solve the case.
Context: Gun violence and recent trends
City officials say Memphis saw a notable drop in several major crime categories in 2025, but gun violence remains a stubborn concern in neighborhoods across the city. That lingering problem is a big part of why officers keep urging residents to speak up when they see or know something, a point echoed in national coverage of local public-safety efforts from the AP.
Parents and caregivers who regularly walk children to parks or bus stops may choose to travel in groups or vary routes. Community groups in Memphis offer programs that aim to reduce young people’s exposure to street violence, but police say neighbors still play a crucial role. Anyone who witnessed the South Memphis robbery or has dashcam or doorbell footage from the area is urged to contact CrimeStoppers or call the Memphis Police Department’s non-emergency line at 901-545-COPS.
