Officer shoots 14-year-old auto theft suspect; 2 more in custody

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Police say an officer shot an armed 14-year-old who got out of a stolen vehicle and ran Friday evening on Winchester Road.

The teen suspect was taken to Le Bonehur in non-critical condition after officers administered first aid. No officers were injured, Assistant Chief Don Crowe said.

The incident happened at a Marathon gas station on Winchester near Outland.

Crowe said around 5 p.m., police saw a stolen Chevy Equinox at South Goodlett Street and Arrowhead Road, and attempted to stop it. The vehicle fled but they soon saw it at the gas station.

Three suspects got out of the vehicle and ran as officers approached. Two were taken into custody at the scene.

But Crowe said a third person, the 14-year-old, ran westbound down Winchester.

“For reasons under investigation, the situation escalated and an officer fired upon the suspect,” police said in a news release.

Crowe couldn’t say whether the suspect fired shots or brandished his gun, saying the circumstances were under investigation.

The Chevy Equinox was stolen from a Memphis address on Tuesday, police said.

No charges have been filed and the other two suspects were uninjured. Police did not specify whether they also were juveniles.

As officers were at the scene, they heard shots fired further down Winchester at Goodlett.

They found two gunshot victims in the 3500 block of Durand, who were taken to Regional One in critical condition. The suspects got away in a dark sedan.

Crowe said the two shootings were unrelated.

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