Armed Man Shot by Police After Attempted Attack on Jewish School in Memphis
In a tense turn of events, an armed man who allegedly fired a gun and tried to enter a Jewish school in Memphis was shot by an officer during a traffic stop. The suspect is currently in critical condition, according to the police.
The incident unfolded shortly after noon on Monday when the Memphis Police Department received a call regarding an unidentified White man who reportedly discharged his handgun outside the Margolin Hebrew Academy. Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident, thanks to the school’s effective safety procedures.
Assistant Police Chief Don Crowe commended the quick actions taken by the school, stating, “Thankfully, that school had a great safety procedure and process in place and avoided anyone being harmed or injured at that scene,” as reported by the Associated Press.
The suspect managed to flee the scene in a maroon pickup truck with California license plates before police arrived. However, with the help of the school’s description, the police were able to track down the vehicle in Bartlett, Tennessee.
During the traffic stop, the driver emerged from the vehicle armed with a handgun, prompting the police to take immediate action. An officer fired their weapon, striking the suspect and leaving him in critical condition.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation will be handling the review and investigation of this officer-involved shooting. Assistant Police Chief Crowe stated that it is too early to determine if the incident was a hate crime, but he emphasized that the suspect seemed determined to cause harm.
“I think the suspect was going to harm somebody before the day was over, and that our officers were able to intervene and protect the citizens,” Crowe remarked during a news conference.
In a surprising twist, Democratic Representative Steve Cohen revealed that the shooter at Margolin Hebrew Academy was himself Jewish and a former student of the school. Margolin Hebrew Academy is a co-ed school that serves children from first through eighth grade.
As the investigation unfolds, authorities will continue to seek answers and ensure the safety of the community.