Note: Police on Wednesday said there were five victims in this shooting, four of them children.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Four children and a 30-year-old father were shot on Interstate 240 near Poplar Avenue during rush hour Tuesday afternoon, police say.

Court records say the father was trying to merge onto the i-240 from Mount Moriah but couldn’t because a gray SUV refused to allow him. Once the victim finally merged, police say the suspect started driving erratically towards the victim’s vehicle.

The suspects allegedly made their way to the passenger side of the victim’s vehicle and someone inside opened fire. 

Two suspects were arrested and charged after a chase that led police to Raleigh. The five victims are in critical condition.

Officers responded at 5:12 to a shooting near I-240 West and Poplar Avenue, where they found an empty Chevy Malibu with bullet holes on the interstate.

Five victims initially went to Baptist Hospital by private vehicle. One of them, the 30-year-old, was transferred to Regional One.

Passers-by stopped and helped the family.

Four children were transferred to LeBonheur Children’s Hospital — police say they are 2,8, and two 3-year-old twins. One of the children was shot five time, another twice in the stomach and another lost two fingers.

“One of the little boys lost two fingers. Another child got shot twice in the stomach,” a family member said.

According to police, another child was shot five times.

Officers received information that the suspect vehicle was a 2022 Mitsubishi Outlander that had been stolen on June 9. They put out a broadcast for the suspects.

Police spotted the Mitsubishi at Wolfchase Galleria on Germantown Parkway, but it fled southbound and officers pursued it.

When the pursuit reached the area of James Road and Highland, police say the suspects fired shots at officers. Police aviation continued to track the vehicle to Mahue Drive, where it crashed in a ditch and the two suspects got out and ran.

An officer wrecked in the 3500 block of James Road. He is uninjured.

Police used K9 officers to track the suspects and take them into custody.

Lorenzo Watson, 18, was charged with Attempted First-Degree Murder (6X), Employment of a Firearm during the Commission of a Dangerous Felony (6X), Evading Arrest on Foot, Evading Arrest in a Vehicle, and Theft of Property $10,000-$60,000 to wit: Motor Vehicle.

Kendrick Ray, 21, was charged with Attempted First-Degree Murder (6X), Employment of a Firearm during the Commission of a Dangerous Felony (6X), Evading Arrest on Foot, and Theft of Property $10,000-$60,000 to wit: Motor Vehicle. Ray also had a warrant for Carjacking (2X), Employment of a Firearm during the Commission of a Dangerous Felony (3X), Reckless Endangerment (3X), and Attempted First-Degree Murder. Ray had prior arrests for Disorderly Conduct, Inciting to Riot, Criminal Trespass, Possession of a Prohibited Weapon, Resisting Official Detention, Theft of Property $1,000 or less, and Contributing to the Delinquency of a Child.

Police said when Ray and Watson were taken into custody, officers found a Mario backpack with three weapons, including a Draco handgun and a Glock with a switch.

This is the third shooting on I-240 this month. WREG asked Memphis Police if they would patrol the area more; they said they could not comment at this time.

Ray also had a warrant out for his arrest in a carjacking and aggravated assault on June 3 on South Parkway East, police say.

The victim in that case said she was pumping gas when three males armed with rifles stole her Nissan Altima. They shot her three times in the leg when she tried to defend herself.