The Shelby County District Attorney Office has confirmed that fallen Memphis Police Department (MPD) Officer Joseph McKinney was killed by friendly fire.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the DA’s office said they have decided to drop the murder charges against the 17-year-old involved in the Friday, April 12th, shooting.
“We have not proceeded with a murder charge at this time because current information indicates that Officer McKinney was killed by friendly fire,” the DA’s office said in a statement.
McKinney was killed during a police-involved shoot-out in Whitehaven on April 12th. Two suspects opened fire on police after three officers investigated a suspicious vehicle around 2 a.m. near Horn Lake Road and Charter Road. This resulted in McKinney being killed, with one officer being taken to Regional One Health, and another being grazed by a bullet and treated on scene.
The 18-year-old suspect died at the hospital, while the 17-year-old was admitted under critical condition on Friday morning.
While the DA’s office came to this conclusion from their “current information,” they said the 17-year-old’s “reprehensible actions” are still to blame for McKinney’s death.
“Should a legal avenue open up for additional prosecution, be assured we will pursue it,” the DA’s office added.
Chief C.J. Davis of MPD released a statement shortly after this information was released saying that they “continue to mourn the death of Officer Joseph McKinney.”
“The facts remain that our officers responded to a very violent encounter that tragically resulted in Officer McKinney being fatally shot,” the statement read.
The statement showed support McKinney’s family and the Memphis Police Department “in honor of his valor.” The department will conduct a “Sea of Blue” on Sunday, April 21st, in McKinney’s honor.
