MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Shots were fired on a Memphis interstate exit Friday morning, with one man telling police he shot at another driver who was pointing a gun at him.
The shoulder of I-240 on the Getwell exit was lined with police cars Friday morning. In between, WREG crews saw a white truck with its windshield pierced with four bullets.
The victim there told officers that a man in a gray Mitsubishi SUV, Tennessee tag BNJ4002, pointed a gun at him while passing his vehicle, then began to pull closer.
The victim said he pulled out his own gun to defend himself, firing shots through the suspect’s windshield.
The two men both got out of their vehicles with their guns. The victim yelled, “Don’t!” and the other man got in his car and drove off.
The man said he wasn’t sure if his shots hit the man. Police say they haven’t located any shooting victim.
Since the pandemic, Memphis Police said there’s been an increase in reckless driving, illegal drag racing, and interstate shootings.
Memphis Police said that as of mid-March there were 23 shootings on the interstate this year. The same time last year, there were 15.
A majority of them were reported in the afternoon, overnight, or during the evening commute.
MPD reports two others happened this year, right around the same area as Friday’s scene.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol said it continues to increase trooper presence in Memphis and Shelby County, and they will continue to do so in the coming months.
Back at Friday’s scene, police haven’t found the other driver involved. The investigation remains ongoing.
The driver of the white truck says he doesn’t know if he struck the other driver, but police say they checked with the hospitals and they haven’t had anyone show up with injuries.
If you know anything about Wednesday morning’s armed robbery incident, you are urged to call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH.