No charges against MPD officers after deadly shootout; use of force ‘justified,’ D.A. says
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The Shelby County District Attorney will not pursue criminal charges against Memphis Police officers involved in a shootout that ended in the death of one officer and one suspect, Steve Mulroy’s office announced Friday.
“Following a swift yet thorough review conducted by our Justice Review Unit, DA Mulroy concurred with their findings that the officers’ use of force was justified,” a statement from Mulroy’s office stated. “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.”
Nine Memphis Police officers were relieved of duty with pay during the investigation into a shootout that killed one officer and an 18-year-old suspect, a source with the Memphis Police Association said.
ORIGINAL STORY: Memphis Police officer and suspect dead after shootout; multiple officers injured
The officers were relieved the day of the incident last Friday, as is routine procedure, said a representative with MPA, a union representing police officers.
Two of those officers who were relieved of duty had been injured in the shooting, an MPA representative said. More officers were on the scene but were not involved to an extent that would lead to them being relieved, he said.
A Memphis Police Department spokesman confirmed that several officers had been routinely relieved of duty.
The officer who was killed was identified by MPD as Joseph McKinney.
Officials honor Memphis Police officer killed in shootout
Reports say the officers are at home and will be debriefed about what they saw. They will also have the chance to talk with a psychologist, especially since getting the news that McKinney may have been killed by an officer’s bullet.
“It may have been from a friendly fire incident. It’s weighing extremely heavily on the officers involved. And so, you know, they are having to deal with the stress,” said MPA President Matt Cunningham.
The suspect who was killed was identified as Jaylen Lobley. Another suspect, 17-year-old Devaron Taylor, was also injured and left in critical condition.
Cunningham was unable to go into detail about what exactly happened to lead up to the shooting, including who shot first. Although, he did confirm that the two teens had weapons.
“I can tell you they were armed and that shots were fired that night, but who fired first? I don’t know,” he said.
Also on Friday, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation announced that charges against Taylor had been upgraded to include Second-Degree Murder and Reckless Homicide.
Teen in officer’s shooting faces murder, homicide charge
The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office said Friday that information still indicates McKinney was killed by friendly fire, but they believe Taylor’s actions led to the shooting.
MPA President Matt Cunningham agreed with the D.A.’s statement.
“Regardless, what happened on the scene that night was the result of the suspects’ actions. They made the decision to become violent with police and police had to respond,” said Cunningham.
A second officer was taken to a hospital after the shooting incident but was reported in non-critical condition. A third officer was grazed by gunfire, but treated at the scene.
Taylor is charged with 13 counts of Criminal Attempt First Degree Murder, 13 counts of Assault Against First Responder, and 13 counts of Aggravated Assault.
District Attorney Steve Mulroy announced Wednesday that he plans to charge Taylor as an adult.
On March 5, Lobley was arrested and charged with two counts of auto theft, unlawful possession of a weapon, prohibited weapon – machine gun, and two counts of vandalism related to broken car windows and key reprogrammer in his possession. But he was released from jail without bond.
Back in 2022, Taylor was charged with three counts of aggravated robbery, according to juvenile court records.
What happened at Jaylen Lobley’s bond hearing before shootout with police
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