UPDATE: MPD listed Elijah Hyman with a $50,000 bond Sunday. He is now being held without bond, according to MPD’s website. He is expected to appear in court on July 18.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A man distraught from breakup threatened to kill people during an event at the FedEx Forum, police say.
Officers responded to an armed mental consumer call just after 2:45 a.m. Saturday in the 200 block of South Main Street. When they arrived, they said Elijah Hyman appeared distraught.
They later found out that Hyman, 28, was distraught due to a breakup with his girlfriend. According to police, they were advised that since Hyman and his girlfriend’s relationship was ending, he wanted to kill himself and everyone he saw leaving an event at the FedEx Forum.
“It’s just shocking how one person can just dwell on all that,” said Memphis resident Brandon Thomas.
Police did not disclose the event, but the FedEx Forum held the Yo Gotti and Friends Birthday Bash 8 during the time of the call.
Officers said Hyman had been cut from a glass window inside of his apartment and was bleeding from his right hand. He also had several weapons inside the apartment, according to police.
“I’m just glad that Memphis kind of had it set up to prevent it and it wasn’t something else, it could have been a different story,” said tourist Courtney Walker.
Hyman was detained and taken for medical treatment and evaluation.
Hyman is charged with commission of the act of terrorism.
Investigators have not said if Hyman was on their radar prior to the threat being made being made. Regardless, a heightened sense of concern will stay for days to come.
MPD says that Hyman’s girlfriend was not injured during the dispute.
Rapper Yo Gotti responded to the threats on Twitter:
“Thank you to the fans, artists and everyone involved behind the scenes for making Birthday Bash a smooth, secure and successful event.
We were informed of a potential threat regarding an individual seeking to harm attendees leaving Birthday Bash that occurred 3 hours after our show ended.
I would also like to thank the Memphis Police Department for their swift and proactive action in ensuring that all attendees returned home safely.“
