An official incident report from the Memphis Police Department (MPD) says police did locate the individual who was seen carrying an assault rifle in the Midtown area on Monday morning. This update comes a day after they said that the individual was not located.
On Tuesday, MPD officials told the Flyer that the individual was not accused of a crime and was not located. This information contradicted information provided by local schools and neighbors.
Officials also said that as of Tuesday, there had not been an incident report associated with the complaints. But MPD’s public information officer Christopher Williams sent an official incident report after another request Wednesday morning.
MPD released the following information to the Flyer:
“Description of Incident: (CAD#P233311179) On November 17, 2023, at approximately 10:44 hrs, Crump Station Officers were dispatched to Diana and Carr on a male armed with a rifle. Officers made the scene and observed a male with a white shirt walking down the street at Diana and Carr. Officers attempted to catch up with the male but lost him. The officer continued to check the area but could not locate the male with a gun. Officers lost the male that fit the description near Diana and Vinton.
Officers got an additional call at 11:38 hrs on the same suspect, and officers could not locate a male armed with a weapon. Officers had plain clothes and cars, and several patrols checked the area with negative results.
I Lt. E. Cage 405B was contacted [about] the incident and made the scene. Officers got information the male responsible could live at [address removed by Flyer]. The writer had additional cars to make the scene. Officers went to [address removed by Flyer] and contacted the subject.
The male subject told officers that he was the person walking down the street with his weapon. He said he was walking down the road with his weapon because he was scared. He told officers that Memphis is a dangerous place. He advised that he never wanted to harm anyone. He said that he only carried the rifle for his protection.
The writer had the Real Time Crime Center check the subject, and he came back with negative results. Officers on the scene also checked him; he had no criminal history. The writer asked him if officers could see the weapon he was walking with, and he allowed officers to see the weapon. The writer and Lt. Mcgowin took a photo of the weapon he was walking down the street with. (400) Colonial Jackson was told of the incident. The writer did not notice him to have any mental illness. The weapon was left with the subject.”
