No Memphis officers to be charged in shootout; murder charges added for teen suspect
The Shelby County District Attorney's Office said it will not charge any of the Memphis police officers involved in the shootout with two teenagers that left two officers injured, one officer dead and one of the teens dead, it said in a press release Friday morning.
The shootout resulted in the death of Officer Joseph McKinney, which the DA's office has since said was likely due to friendly fire.
The DA's office's Justice Review Unit, which assesses police shootings to determine if any charges should be filed, conducted a "swift" review of the evidence from the April 12 shootout, the DA's office said.
"Following a swift, yet thorough review conducted by our Justice Review Unit, DA [Steve] Mulroy concurred with their findings that the officers' use of force was justified," the office said in the press release. "They were responding to gunfire directed at them, presenting a clear and immediate threat to their lives. Given these circumstances, their actions were deemed both reasonable and justified."
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The DA's office also said that it was amending its charges filed against a 17-year-old, and adding second-degree murder and reckless homicide charges in connection to McKinney's death.
"Let me be clear about this," Mulroy said in the press release. "There is only one person responsible for the death of Officer McKinney, and that's the person we're charging. We intend to prosecute this case vigorously. This kind of abhorrent behavior is intolerable. Those who commit it will face serious consequences. We're determined to see that justice is done in this case."
Wednesday evening, the DA's office announced that it was charging the 17-year-old, who was critically injured in the shootout, with thirteen counts of attempted first-degree murder, assault against a first responder and aggravated assault. The office also charged the teen with theft of property $10,000-$60,000, possessing a firearm during the commission or attempt to commit a dangerous felony, possession of a prohibited weapon and evading arrest.
Notably absent from those charges were first-degree murder, and accessory to murder, charges. When asked about this, the DA's office said evidence it had reviewed indicated McKinney was likely killed by friendly fire.
The DA's office also said Wednesday that it would be filing to have the 17-year-old tried as an adult. The Commercial Appeal will not identify the 17-year-old at this time as he is still charged as a juvenile.
More: Officials react to death of Memphis police officer: 'Another sorrowful & heartbreaking day'
18-year-old Jaylen Lobley was also killed in the shootout.
A funeral for McKinney is slated for Monday afternoon and will come a day after the Memphis Police Department hosts its sea of blue near the Raines precinct.
Lucas Finton is a criminal justice reporter with The Commercial Appeal. HPe can be reached at [email protected], or (901)208-3922, and followed on X, formerly known as Twitter, @LucasFinton.
This article originally appeared on Memphis Commercial Appeal: Memphis officers will not face charges in fatal friendly fire shooting
