A Memphis shooting investigation has taken a sharp turn, with prosecutors seeking a new shooter after moving to release the man previously accused of opening fire at OUTMemphis. Aljon Tyler was arrested in May, but authorities now say a different suspect has emerged.
The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office said witnesses initially identified Tyler as the shooter, according to Action News 5. Prosecutors later re-interviewed witnesses, located additional people who may have information, and identified another suspect, prompting the move to release Tyler from jail.
The reversal comes nearly three months after the May 5 shooting in Cooper-Young. Tyler’s arrest and the temporary fallout at the LGBTQ+ community center were previously reported by The Daily Memphian, which described OUTMemphis as a community-serving organization that closed after the violence.
Two people were wounded inside OUTMemphis
Officers found one victim with a gunshot wound to the right index finger and a through-and-through neck wound, while the other suffered a gunshot wound to the lower right abdomen. The injuries were detailed in the original police account, as reported by Action News 5.
New suspect remains unidentified
Authorities have not released the new suspect’s name, description, or any details about possible charges. The district attorney’s office also has not publicly explained what evidence led investigators away from Tyler and toward the newly identified person.
What Tyler’s release means for the case
Tyler had been facing three counts of attempted second-degree murder along with a weapons charge tied to the shooting. The latest update indicates prosecutors no longer believe he is the correct suspect in the attack, but it does not outline the final court status of those charges or say whether the new suspect has been taken into custody.
For now, the case remains active, with investigators trying to establish who fired the shots and what led to the confrontation inside the Cooper Street center. The latest development leaves the victims’ injuries unchanged but sends the prosecution back to the beginning of the suspect question.
