MPD: Man out on bond after threatening to shoot police officers

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A man is in custody after Memphis Police say he threatened to shoot officers after they asked him to leave a local park on Monday.

Officers responded to a disturbance call at a park in the 4000 block of Willow Road regarding multiple students skipping school and smoking at the playground.

As officers arrived, they approached a suspect, later identified as 19-year-old Marvin Parker, wearing a blue shirt and gray pajama pants with a black and red backpack.

According to the police report, Parker’s appearance matched the description of one of the individuals who was smoking.

Officers told Parker to leave the playground multiple times due to him allowing the students to smoke. Parker allegedly refused to obey officers’ commands and told them that he wasn’t going anywhere.

While officers were escorting the suspect off the playground, Parker allegedly said he was going to “air the officers out,” which is common terminology for using a firearm.

An officer attempted to detain Parker, but he fled on foot from the location.

After a short foot pursuit, the suspect was taken into custody in the 1600 block of Hopewell Road.

Officers found a black Glock handgun with a tan extended magazine inside the backpack Parker was wearing. The tan magazine had a red bandana wrapped around it, which police say is a sign he was gang-affiliated.

Officers asked Parker if he was affiliated with any street gang and he replied, “Yes, I’m affiliated with the Blood gang.”

Parker has been charged with carrying weapons on public parks, playgrounds, civic centers, etc., evading arrest, assault against a first responder and unlawful carrying or possession of a weapon.

Jail records show he was released on $5,000 bond.

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