What started as a simple request to move a car outside a downtown Memphis landmark spiraled into a violent parking lot ambush, and now police are hunting for multiple suspects.
Memphis police say a woman was assaulted outside the Cotton Museum on Union Avenue on the evening of May 10, trapped in a parking lot, and struck in the head several times during a confrontation that involved firearms.
Police response and location
According to the Memphis Police Department, officers were called to the Cotton Museum around 8:40 p.m. on May 10 for a report of aggravated assault. Investigators say the victim was blocked in a parking lot, and the case remains under active investigation.
How the attack unfolded
Action News 5 reports that the confrontation began when the victim asked a driver to move his vehicle. Instead, police say, the driver pulled out a handgun and pointed it at her. A second suspect, described as a woman, allegedly jumped the victim, and a scuffle broke out.
During the struggle, the victim told officers that two men hit her several times in the head with their guns before fleeing. No additional details on the suspects have been released so far.
Downtown safety and recent incidents
The assault comes on the heels of other recent violence in the area, including a May 5 shooting outside OUTMemphis that left two women wounded, according to the Daily Memphian. City officials have repeatedly pointed to increased patrols and a Downtown Command Center as signs that they are trying to get in front of the problem, but incidents like this one keep testing those efforts.
How to help
Investigators are asking anyone who saw what happened or who has video from the area that night to speak up. Tipsters can contact CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH, as reported by Action News 5. Even small details, they say, could help identify the suspects.
The investigation remains active, and police say they plan to release more information, including any surveillance images or suspect descriptions, as leads develop. This story will be updated as new details emerge.
