MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Staggering and startling numbers Monday, as the city of Memphis has reached 46 murders so far this year.
That’s compared to 29 the same time last year. At least seven people were shot and killed between Saturday and Sunday, and two of those killings happened overnight.
Now, there’s concern some state initiatives could make crime problems even worse.
Throughout the weekend investigators stayed busy as they processed crime scene, after crime scene, after crime scene.
One of the shootings happened at the Prescott Place Apartments in East Memphis just before midnight. Memphis Police confirmed one person was shot and pronounced dead on the scene.
Officers have not released any information about the victim or his killer.
Another man was shot and killed in a home on Berkshire Avenue in Nutbush late Sunday night. Authorities have not released any information on this case.
The other deadly shootings happened on Vayu Court in Frayser; South Third Street in Southwest Memphis; Mount Moriah in Hickory Hill; and a double shooting on South Parkway in South Memphis.
The rash of shootings happened the same weekend hundreds in Whitehaven took to the streets to walk for unity and peace in neighborhoods.
The hope is to not come close again to 2020’s grim milestone where there were more than 330 homicides in Memphis.
But now there’s another issue on the table.
As Tennessee Governor Bill Lee renews his calls for “Constitutional carry” or permit less carry in the state.
The proposal would also enhance penalties for firearm theft
“And now more than ever Tennesseans want a strong commitment to the Second Amendment, and the right to protect themselves,” Tennessee’s Governor Bill Lee said. “And as such I will again be introducing Constitutional Carry legislation.”
But Tennessee State Senator Raumesh Akbari thinks the proposal will only make things worse.
“It’s not going to lead to good outcomes,” Akbari said. “I think it’s going to have a worsening of our crime rate, worsening of weapons on the street and people really not knowing how to handle them.”
Memphis’ Police Director has often talked about guns that are kept inside of cars, that are often stolen and getting into the wrong hands and leading to violence.
Akbari believes this latest push will have negative fallout as well.
“You’ll have more folks that have access to weapons that don’t have required training. So whether it’s intentional crimes that are being committed or accidental shootings I think it’s going to be dangerous for our state,” Akbari said.
Committees are set to start discussing the proposal this week.
If you know anything about the several shootings over the weekend, call Crime Stoppers at (901) 528-CASH.