Memphis police said the victims were bystanders caught in gunfire after an argument near OUTMemphis.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis police are searching for a suspect after two women were critically injured Tuesday afternoon during a shooting in the Cooper-Young neighborhood near OUTMemphis, authorities said.
Officers responded shortly after 4 p.m. to reports of shots fired in the 800 block of Cooper Street near Oliver Avenue. Investigators said the violence began after an argument between two people escalated into gunfire. Police said the women who were struck were not involved in the dispute and were instead caught in the shooting as bystanders. Both victims were taken to a hospital in critical condition while investigators searched for the person responsible.
The shooting unfolded in one of Memphis’ busiest entertainment and cultural districts, where restaurants, businesses and community organizations often draw heavy foot traffic during the afternoon and evening hours. Witnesses in the area described moments of confusion and panic as shots rang out near the street. Memphis Police Department officers quickly blocked sections of Cooper Street while crime scene investigators collected evidence and interviewed nearby business owners and pedestrians. Authorities later released surveillance images of a suspect believed to be connected to the shooting. Police said the person was last seen wearing a pink jumpsuit, pink boots, a black jacket and a black belt. Investigators identified the suspect only by the name “Jewell” and said the individual is known to frequent the area near Jefferson Avenue and North Claybrook Street.
Police have not publicly released the identities or ages of the two women who were wounded. Officials also have not said how many shots were fired or whether the suspect and the intended target knew each other before the confrontation. Officers at the scene told reporters that preliminary information pointed to an argument immediately before the shooting. Investigators spent several hours reviewing surveillance footage from nearby businesses and speaking with witnesses who were outside when the violence occurred. Authorities asked anyone with information about the suspect’s location or movements before and after the shooting to contact CrimeStoppers. By Tuesday night, no arrest had been announced. OUTMemphis, a nonprofit organization that serves LGBTQ+ residents in the region, issued a statement acknowledging the shooting nearby and expressing concern for the injured women and others affected by the violence.
The Cooper-Young neighborhood is widely known as one of Memphis’ most active entertainment districts, with restaurants, bars, music venues and nonprofit organizations spread across the Midtown area. The district regularly hosts festivals and community events that attract large crowds from across the city. Tuesday’s shooting added to growing concerns about gun violence in Memphis, where police have responded to several high-profile shootings in recent weeks. Earlier this week, multiple people were injured during another shooting connected to an argument in the Orange Mound area, according to Memphis police. Community leaders and business owners in Midtown have repeatedly called for stronger public safety measures and additional patrols in entertainment corridors where large numbers of people gather. Police have not indicated whether the Cooper Street shooting was connected to any broader dispute or ongoing investigation elsewhere in the city.
Investigators continued working through Tuesday evening to establish a timeline and determine what led to the confrontation. Police have not announced possible charges because the suspect had not been taken into custody. Detectives are expected to review additional surveillance video from nearby businesses and traffic cameras in the area surrounding Cooper Street and Oliver Avenue. Authorities also are likely to continue interviewing witnesses who were present when the shooting occurred. Memphis police encouraged residents to provide tips through CrimeStoppers, where callers may remain anonymous. Officials did not release updated medical information on the victims beyond confirming both women remained in critical condition. No court dates or hearings had been scheduled by late Tuesday because no arrest had been made.
As flashing police lights filled the block Tuesday afternoon, residents and business owners gathered behind crime scene tape while investigators moved between patrol vehicles and storefronts. Some people nearby said they initially believed the loud sounds were construction noise before realizing gunfire had erupted in the middle of the neighborhood. Others described seeing emergency responders rush the wounded women into ambulances as officers searched for witnesses. Several business employees remained outside for hours waiting to learn whether the suspect had been located. “It’s heartbreaking because innocent people were hurt,” one nearby worker said as police continued processing the scene. The shooting temporarily disrupted activity in the district, with traffic diverted away from portions of Cooper Street during the investigation.
As of Wednesday morning, Memphis police had not announced an arrest, and investigators said the search for the suspect was ongoing. Authorities urged anyone with information about the shooting to contact CrimeStoppers as detectives continue gathering evidence and reviewing surveillance footage from the area.
Author note: Last updated May 6, 2026.