MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Flashing blue lights lit the area near Orchi and Jackson Avenue early Wednesday morning. Many residents WREG spoke to were too afraid to go on camera, but said they heard gunshots coming from every direction.
“I heard it last night around midnight. So, I just grabbed my son to protect us just in case anything came through our window,” said Sunpadio Bankston.
Memphis Police said around 1:30 a.m. Wednesday they received a call that a home had been shot up. The homeowner told first responders no one was hit but 11 bullet holes were found in the home.
At the same time, MPD was called to Jackson and Orchi where a car was found riddled with bullets. That driver told police he was on Merker Street when a car in front of him suddenly stopped and two men jumped out firing. The man said he laid back and quickly drove away as the gunmen continued to shoot at his car. He wasn’t hurt.
Memphis police said the two scenes were connected.
But the violence didn’t end there. Just around the corner from where the house was shot up, Memphis Police officers were investigating what appeared to be another drive-by shooting at Kendrick and National. At least three cars were shot up at that location.
Memphis Police did not say if it’s connected to the other incidents, but said one person was detained.
Bankston said shootings are common in the area, but he chooses not to live his life in fear.
“I can’t really just say I fear for my life or nothing like that because I live this life every day,” he said. “I get up every morning and have to go to work. Gunshots, gun violence, I just mind my business, stay in my lane and go to work.”
Initially WREG was told one person was injured in the incidents, but MPD says no one was injured. If you know anything, call Crime Stoppers at (901) 528-CASH.
