MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A man is now behind bars, facing charges in connection with the shooting of a 11-year-old outside the Charles Powell Westwood Community Center.
21-year-old Joseph Johnson was arrested early Friday and charged with aggravated assault and unlawful possession of a weapon.
Witnesses say they heard lots of gunfire coming from the park next to the community center around 5:45 p.m. Thursday.
Police say an 11-year-old child was hit the head and taken to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in critical condition.
People in Westwood say they care about their community, but crime with young people has gotten out of hand, especially at the community centers.
They don’t know what to do.
“It’s gotta change. I really don’t know what to say about it,” said one man.
“I’ve been over here 30 years, I’ve seen the decline,” said another.
In 2012, three teenagers were shot while playing basketball outside the same community center.