Black shooter in Memphis keeps killing before he’s caught

By Judy J. Beasley Last updated Dec 17, 2022

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Memphis Police Chief CJ Davis confirmed at a Thursday morning news conference just after midnight that four people were murdered as 19-year-old Ezekiel Kelly allegedly carried out a random shooting across Memphis, Tennessee. Three other victims were also reportedly injured.

According to ABC 24, police say Kelly was arrested in the vicinity of Ivan Road and Hodge Road in Whitehaven. A shelter in place has been issued for this area and has now been lifted.

Southaven Police say a Dodge Challenger was stolen from a Raceway service station on Stateline Road just before 9 p.m. The driver of the car recognized Kelly as a suspect and fled. Memphis police found the car and took Kelly into custody. Southaven Police have charged Kelly with armed carjacking for the incident.

The Memphis PD first warned people in the area to be on the lookout for Kelly at 7 p.m. after a citizen alerted them to a Facebook Live stream that showed him shooting people random Wednesday.

What MPD didn’t know was that Kelly began his shooting well before 7 p.m. mass shooting from 4:38 p.m.

According to court records, there was an active warrant for Kelly’s arrest Wednesday morning after he killed the 24-year-old on Lyndale Ave.

“The people of our city have faced a type of violence that no one should have to deal with.”

At least one of the shootings was apparently broadcast on Facebook Live, for CNNultimately leading to the arrest of Ezekiel Kelly following a high-speed chase, Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn “CJ” Davis said at a news conference early Thursday.

Everyone in the Ivan Road and Hodge Road area is sheltering in place and staying within the gates. pic.twitter.com/tgEhMveEGF

— Memphis Police Department (@MEM_PoliceDept) September 8, 2022

The shooting began before 1 a.m. Wednesday and continued late into the evening, triggering shelter-in-place for part of the city as police searched for the shooter.