Memphis Police seeks federal charges for Orange Mound shooting

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis is pursuing federal charges against some of the people responsible for a deadly mass shooting at a public park this weekend, the city’s police chief says.

Wednesday, the reward offered for information leading to an arrest in the shooting was increased to $25,000, after a contribution from the U.S. Marshals Service.

Police say they do not yet know who is responsible for the shooting, but are working to identify the major players in the videos — and those people may be facing serious charges.

“Because the Memphis Police Department has made efforts to prosecute through the state but when you have glock switches and you have extended magazines, it’s time to pursue federal charges on some of these offenders,” Interim Police Chief CJ Davis said.

Victims killed in Orange Mound block party shooting identified

Two people were killed and seven more injured when gunfire broke out at an unsanctioned party with several hundred people at Orange Mound Park on Carnes Street on Saturday. Many of the victims were teenagers.

Numerous images and videos that circulated during and after the event show participants holding AR-style weapons in the park. While a Corvette did burnouts on a basketball court, gunfire began to pop off, sending participants to the ground.

Fliers for the event Saturday in Orange Mound were widely circulated online.

One council member asked Davis whether the police department was monitoring social media so they could have responded ahead of time.

That question was headed off by another council member, who invoked attorney-client privilege and said it was germane to a legal proceeding, but did not provide further detail.

Davis responded, “We are utilizing all intel, information, that we can gather, not just from Memphis Police Department but from our federals partners, too. The FBI, we’ve called in the ATF and other individuals to help support in this effort. The type of weaponry, the type of activity, that we’re seeing in our parks are unacceptable.”

Community questions how fatal block party took place without a permit

Councilwoman Yolanda Cooper-Sutton questioned how no one had been identified from such a large public gathering.

“Hold the parents accountable. The police department is not their babysitter,” she said.

Crime Stoppers said the group had received more than 30 tips in the case so far.

Memphis Police say the victims were a 17-year-old male (deceased), 22-year-old male (deceased), 19-year-old male, 21-year-old male, 23-year-old male, 29-year-old male, 16-year-old female, 20-year-old female, and 20-year-old female.

Antonio Humphrey was identified by his grandmother on Monday as the 17-year-old victim killed in the shooting. Another of the victims has been identified as 22-year-old Chalmar Fason.

“It’s a mix of emotions I think that we all have,” Chief Davis said. “Because we want it to stop because we’re utilizing all of our resources, our officers are putting their lives on the line. Sometimes they’re outgunned and outmanned when it comes to just addressing crime.”

Police say they are working on youth violence suppression efforts, and will work with both city schools and city parks and community centers to prevent conflicts between students that spill over into public spaces like schools, parks and community centers.

They also say they are monitoring public sources to identify gatherings that pose potential public safety threats, and increasing staff at MPD’s permits office to inspect permitted event locations.

Saturday’s event was not permitted to be in the park, police say.

City park officials said any event with more than 25 people needs a permit from the park and from the city. There are six park rangers for 162 parks, but most of their efforts are spent monitoring permitted events.

“We have a pretty well defined policy in Memphis parks. I think what we’re talking about in terms of public safety on that side is making sure we stick with that policy and if there are large groups in an unpermitted event in a rentable space, we address that,” said Nick Walker, City of Memphis Parks Director.

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