MEMPHIS, Tenn. – The Shelby County District Attorney’s Office announced its decision to file a motion to prosecute a 17-year-old individual involved in the fatal shooting of a Memphis Police Department officer as an adult. The charges being pursued include 13 counts of Criminal Attempt First Degree Murder, Assault Against First Responder, and Aggravated Assault, among others.
The District Attorney’s Office stated that no murder charge has been brought forth at this time, as recent information suggests that Officer Joseph McKinney was killed by friendly fire. Despite this, the DA’s Office emphasized that the 17-year-old’s actions are still considered the primary cause of Officer McKinney’s tragic death.
In addition to the aforementioned charges, the teenager faces accusations of Theft of Property, Possession of a Firearm During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony, Possession of a Prohibited Weapon, and Evading Arrest. The charges collectively carry a maximum potential sentence of 400 years.
The incident, which took place on April 12, involved a shootout between police officers and two individuals inside a suspicious vehicle near the intersection of Horn Lake Road and Charter Avenue. One of the suspects, 18-year-old Jaylen Lobley, was killed during the exchange of gunfire.
Following the revelation that Officer McKinney’s death was the result of friendly fire, Police Chief C.J. Davis expressed continued mourning for the fallen officer. Two other officers were injured in the shooting, while the 17-year-old suspect sustained critical injuries and remains under investigation by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations.
Jaylen Lobley’s mother has since spoken out, asserting her belief that her son did not shoot the officer and expressing disappointment that no one has reached out to her regarding the incident. The investigation into the shooting and its aftermath continues, as the community mourns the loss of Officer McKinney and considers the implications of the DA’s decision to prosecute the teenage suspect as an adult.
Efforts to seek justice for Officer McKinney’s death persist, with the legal process moving forward and additional details emerging surrounding the events leading up to the tragic shooting in Memphis.