Memphis Mass Shooting Leaves One Dead, Multiple Injured: What To Know

A mass shooting in Memphis left a 22-year-old man dead and five others injured on Wednesday, the city's police department said.

The deceased man was identified by his family as Mathew Williams, Action News 5 reported. He was taking part in the community violence intervention program "Memphis Allies," and was attending a meeting at the time of the shooting, the news station reported.

Memphis Police Department (MPD) said the five other victims were male, and one had sustained critical injuries.

Newsweek has contacted the MPD and Memphis Allies for comment outside of regular working hours.

What To Know

The MPD said it was called to reports of a shooting at around 3.29 p.m. local time at 4000 block of South Mendenhall Road.

One victim was declared dead at the scene, while five others were taken to hospital. One of the injured sustained life-threatening wounds, while four others were reported to be in stable conditions.

MPD said the shooting was believed to be an "isolated incident" and that their investigation was ongoing. No details about the suspects have yet been released.

Tennessee has been hit by various mass shooting in recent years. In March 2023, six people were killed at The Covenant School in Nashville after Audrey Hale open fired, before being gunned down by police.

What People Are Saying

Memphis Allies said in a statement: "We are heartbroken over the senseless act of gun violence on Wednesday that claimed the life of a Memphis Allies program participant at one of our sites. Our hearts go out to the victim's family and to the staff members who had been working with the young man.

"In 2022, Youth Villages, along with community partners, launched the Memphis Allies initiative in response to the city's escalating gun violence. While we are devastated by Wednesday's events, it will not shake our resolve to continue working with community leaders and partner organizations to reduce gun violence and make Memphis safer."

The group added: "Please keep the victim's family, our staff, and all of those affected by gun violence in our community in your thoughts and prayers."

K. Durell Cowan, who founded the violence intervention program HEAL 901, told Action 5 News: "We understand that we are frontline workers. Boots on the ground, socks on the floor, this is what we do. So we understand there is a level of danger that comes with this job when we all took it. We just hate to see that it ended in a tragic matter for anybody on any stand in this matter."

What Happens Next

The MPD's investigation into the shooting is ongoing. The department is urging anyone with information to contact them.