MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The same interstate people use to get to and from work each day became a crime scene for the third time in two weeks Thursday.
“I just don’t understand what’s going on,” Darrick Hard D said.
Police said the latest incident happened around 2 p.m. Thursday afternoon.
They said someone in a white Nissan Maxima started shooting at people in another car on I-40 Westbound, starting at the Hollywood exit and going all the way to Jackson.
Both male victims drove themselves to Regional One Medical Center, one in critical condition and one in non-critical condition, police said.
Police reported Friday morning that both victims had been released from the hospital.
WREG cameras spotted their red car with dozens of bullet holes in it parked outside the hospital. Police wrapped it in crime tape and towed it away.
All lanes reopened by 3:15.
The victims and suspects knew each other, police said.
Police are currently investigating between Chelsea and Jackson, where 40 goes down to one lane. pic.twitter.com/xoyt0jXRMq
— Stacy Jacobson (@StacyJacobsonTV) February 15, 2018
“I don’t know what’s going on. I don’t know where they’re getting all the energy from, but they need to put down the guns, hang it up and find something else to do,” Hard D said.
In this case, police said the shooter and victims knew each other, but they said the opposite was true in two other recent interstate shootings.
“It put other people in danger. It can cause a car pile-up,” Hard D said.
This is the third reported shooting on I-40 in recent days. Just after midnight Saturday, two to three men in a dark Impala fired into a car with a pregnant woman in it.
She was shot and taken to the hospital where she delivered her baby with a bullet wound lodged inside, police said.
Prior to that, a man’s car was sprayed with bullets near the Chelsea exit, though the driver was not hurt.
“We have more influence than law enforcement so it’s up to the community to see the situation and not turn a blind eye to it,” said Ladell Beamon, activist with the Healing the Hood Foundation.
Tennessee Highway Patrol officials said they hadn’t found a link between the incidents.
“We don’t know of any cases specifically linked to one another or if any group is being targeted but anytime you’re out and about you need to be mindful of your own safety,” troopers said.
Memphis Police released the following statement to WREG:
“The recent incidents are not believed to be connected at this point. Incidents have occurred due to road rage encounters, and at least one of the incidents involved individuals who are believed to be known to each other.
We ask that all drivers remain vigilant of their surroundings and continue to be responsible motorists. If at any time while traveling the roadways an overly aggressive driver approaches, pull away from their vehicle and call police. Also, if anyone witnesses any type of erratic or reckless driving, they should call police and provide a location, description of the vehicle/occupant, and a tag number if possible.”
