UPDATE, 4:10 p.m.: Police say preliminary info indicates the suspects knew the victim and he was targeted. The teen is still in the hospital but he is in non-critical condition.
UPDATE: Police have confirmed the victim in this case was 15 years old.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — One person was taken to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in critical condition after a shooting Wednesday near Kirby High School.
Memphis Police say they responded to a shooting in the 4100 block of Kirby Parkway at 2:40 p.m. They found a 15-year-old male victim. The crime scene was found nearby at 4130 Kirby, a Sonic Drive-In restaurant.
A Sonic spokesperson released a statement following the incident:
“We are aware of the incident that occurred at one of our franchised locations. The franchisee is actively cooperating with police fully as they conduct their investigation. Given that this is an active investigation, we defer any further comment to the police.“
Police said five suspects wearing ski masks were seen in a dark gray four-door Mercedes.
Since last Monday, seven children ranging in age from 3 to 16 years old have become victims of gun violence. According to LeBonheur Children’s Hospital, that makes 130 gunshot wound patients this year alone.
Sherrie Alexander, who lives in this area, said she doesn’t remember a time when the violence in the city involved so many children.
“We’re living longer and our young people are just vanishing. Come on now, what are we going to do,” she said.
This is among the latest in what seems like a string of recent tragedies since last Monday when a 16-year-old girl was killed while passing around a gun with other young kids.
A 13-year-old was charged with her death.
Since then, there have been six more incidents that have landed seven children fighting for their lives at Le Bonheur.
Community members like Alexander say enough is enough.
“We need unity. We need to find out what’s the problem. What is the problem? And solve the problem,” she said.