MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A warrant for first degree murder has been issued for Tremaine Wilbourn in connection with the fatal shooting of Officer Sean Bolton, police said.
Wilbourn, 29, was the passenger in the car Bolton, 33, pulled over for the traffic stop Saturday in the 4800 block of Summerlane Avenue.
Police said Bolton had seen the 2002 Mercedes-Benz illegally parked.
Bolton was not accompanied by another officer when he pulled in front of the car, which police said is not uncommon.
Police later discovered that Bolton had interrupted a drug transaction.
Police said the drugs found in the car amounted to 1.7 grams of marijuana, which is only a misdemeanor.
“He’s a coward,” Memphis Police Director Toney Armstrong said during a news conference Sunday. “You gun down — you murder — a police officer for less than 2 grams of marijuana, a misdemeanor citation and a fine.”
Police said they believe Wilbourn confronted Bolton during the stop and a struggle ensued, which led to Wilbourn shooting the officer multiple times.
Wilbourn then fled the scene, police said.
At about 9:15 p.m., police said a citizen used Bolton’s radio to alert police of the shooting.
“It shows that you have a citizen that understands the importance of police work,” Armstrong said. “We are grateful that he had taken the initiative to get on that radio and alert additional officers.”
Police responded to the scene, and Bolton was transported to the hospital in critical condition. He later died.
“The community must come together and remember that all lives matter,” Armstrong said. “Not just black lives, not just white lives, but all lives matter.”
What happened shortly after police responded to the call about the shooting might explain how Wilbourn got away so quickly.
Police received another call, this time about a carjacking around the corner on Clearbrook Street.
A man had been arriving home when he was approached, apparently by Wilbourn.
The man’s neighbor, Harold Ewin, told WREG what happened.
“He said that the guy came up and stuck a gun in his face and said he shot the police and took his car,” Ewin said. “Said, ‘I just shot the police. I need your car.'”
The carjacking victim and his family were not hurt.
The driver of the car Bolton had approached had fled the scene of the shooting but turned himself in later, police said.
He has been released without charge.
Wilbourn is still at large and considered to be armed and dangerous.
Wilbourn had been out on supervised release after being convicted of a bank robbery.
MPD is working with the U.S. Marshals Service, which is offering a $10,000 reward for his arrest.
Mayor A C Wharton said he has asked City Council to post a similar reward.
“Thanks to all the citizens of Memphis and other places who have offered their prayers and their support,” Wharton said.
Anyone who may have information on the suspect’s whereabouts should call CrimeStoppers at 528-CASH.
