Shooting in Memphis lands six in two hospitals but circumstances unclear
Memphis, Tenn. — Six people were hospitalized following a shooting near the Methodist North Hospital overnight, according to the health care system that the hospital is part of, CBS Memphis affiliate WREG-TV reported. Memphis Police confirmed that a half-dozen people had been wounded in a public statement later Tuesday morning.
Officers responded to the shooting as victims arrived at Methodist North Hospital just before 12:45 a.m., according to the police department, which noted that four of the six victims were then transferred to Regional One hospital nearby, while the remaining two victims were transferred to Le Bonheur children's hospital.
Three adults and a juvenile remained in critical condition by the time Memphis Police shared its update. As WREG-TV reported, the police department said three of the victims were detained because they were in possession of a stolen vehicle when the gunfire happened.
It was unclear where the shots rang out, although police said the six victims appeared to have been targeted by the same two suspects, who fired their weapons from inside a black SUV.
A sedan was left riddled with bullet holes and all four doors open outside Methodist North Hospital, WREG said, adding that detectives were at the scene collecting about 40 evidence markers in the aftermath of the shooting.
Memphis Police also taped off a gas station several miles away where an assault rifle could be seen on the pavement near the pumps, the station reported, but it wasn't clear whether that was where the shooting occurred. Police said it appeared "that the shooting [occurred] in the area of New Convington Pike and Austin Peay Highway" in their Tuesday morning statement, but the investigation was still ongoing. The department asked anyone with information to call 901-528-CASH with tips.
On Tuesday morning, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare, of which Methodist North is a part, issued a statement saying the system was treating six patients from a shooting "near" Methodist North.
"We appreciate the swift action from our employees to guide patients away from the ED (Emergency Department) waiting area so our security team and Memphis Police Department could respond quickly," the statement said.
A source told WREG the hospital had been put on lockdown but began allowing people to leave shortly before 3 a.m. Methodist Le Bonheur said Methodist North "is not on lockdown at this time."
