MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Officials with the Memphis Police Department say a Memphis Police officer and an agent with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives were shot Friday afternoon.
Police say the incident happened just after 2:30 p.m. According to Memphis Police, officers with the Violent Crime Unit were searching for a carjacked vehicle that had been involved in a crash in the area of Alabama and Mosby.
Police say while officers were continuing to search in the area of Peach and Leath, multiple suspects got out of a red car, fired shots at the officers and fled the scene.
Memphis Police say neither of the officers returned fire.
They were taken to Regional One Medical Center for treatment. Memphis Police officials say both the MPD officer and the ATF agent are in non-critical condition.
Interim Memphis Police Director Mike Ryall said one officer was shot in the arm and the other was shot in the leg but both are in “good spirits.”
“They’re gonna get through this,” Ryall said.
Law enforcement vehicles — marked and unmarked — lined the street in front of the hospital for hours this afternoon. Ryall says the two officers were also visited by relatives.
“Our officers do this, put themselves in harm’s way every day for this great city that we live in, but we’re are thankful that they’re gonna get through this,” Ryall said.
At this time, three suspects are reportedly detained. Memphis Police say one suspect is currently at large.
The ATF sent the following statement to WREG:
ATF Memphis is on the scene of a potential incident involving shots fired. Details of this situation, to include the nature of the incident, officers involvement and any injuries directly or indirectly related, are being determined at this time. Since this is a very fluid situation, public safety is our priority and the details/timeline of events continue to be obtained with this incident.
Congressman Steven Cohen released a statement on the shooting Friday evening:
I am concerned about the officers injured in the incident this afternoon but relieved at reports that their injuries are apparently not life-threatening. Such incidents remind us of the risks our law enforcement officers confront every day when they go to work, to protect and serve. I appreciate the sacrifices they make to keep us all safe, and I wish these two officers a speedy recovery.