MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy announced on Wednesday that he is seeking to remove the bond for Kendrick Ray, one of the suspects in an interstate shooting that injured a father and four children Tuesday.
At the time of Tuesday’s shooting on I-240, Ray was out on $500 bond set by a judicial commissioner from a previous arrest in which he allegedly was in possession of a handgun with a Glock switch that made the gun fully automatic, Mulroy said.
His case was reviewed for possible federal prosecution, but was not accepted. He was set to enter a guilty plea July 23, Mulroy said.
“Even before this new alleged, serious and violent crime, our office stood ready to argue that he was a dangerous offender deserving severe punishment,” Mulroy said in a statment. “Now that he’s been re-arrested, we’re moving to revoke his bond and have him held without bond, which we think is likely.”
Kendrick Ray, was taken into custody after police say he and another suspect fired multiple shots at five victims while driving down I-240 during rush hour Tuesday afternoon.
All five of the victims — a 30-year-old man, two 3-year-old twins, a 2-year-old and an 8-year-old — were shot and left critically injured.
“The tragic and intolerable incident that occurred on I-240 is deeply saddening, and out hearts are with the victims,” said Mulroy in a statement.
Ray was charged with Attempted First-Degree Murder (6X), Employment of a Firearm during the Commission of a Dangerous Felony (6X), Evading Arrest on Foot, and Theft of Property $10,000-$60,000 to wit: Motor Vehicle. Ray also had a warrant for Carjacking (2X), Employment of a Firearm during the Commission of a Dangerous Felony (3X), Reckless Endangerment (3X), and Attempted First-Degree Murder.
Another man, 18-year-old Lorenzo Watson, was charged with Attempted First-Degree Murder (6X), Employment of a Firearm during the Commission of a Dangerous Felony (6X), Evading Arrest on Foot, Evading Arrest in a Vehicle, and Theft of Property $10,000-$60,000 to wit: Motor Vehicle. His mugshot was not available.
Ray has a long criminal history, but the D.A.’s office says that he has no prior convictions.
According to court documents, Ray was also involved in a carjacking and aggravated assault on June 3 on South Parkway East.
The victim told police that while she was pumping gas, three men armed with rifles came up to her demanding her Nissan Altima.
The woman was shot three times in the leg while trying to defend herself, police say.
At the time of the shooting, another woman and three children were in the car. The suspects forced the victims to exit the vehicle at gunpoint before fleeing the scene in the Altima.
On June 10, just 24 hours before the interstate shooting, the victim of the carjacking identified Ray in a six-person photo lineup as one of the men responsible for the assault.
He was charged with two counts of carjacking, three counts of reckless endangerment, criminal attempt first-degree murder, and three counts of employment of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony.
In July 2023, Ray was arrested and charged with gun violations after Memphis Police found a stolen, modified gun equipped with a “Glock Switch.”
