CV NEWS FEED // Memphis, TN police officer Joseph McKinney died after he was fatally wounded in a shootout with a pair of teenagers early Friday morning.
In addition, the teenager suspected of killing McKinney in the line of duty was reportedly arrested and released without bond last month.
According to WATN, a Memphis-based affiliate of ABC, “18-year-old Jaylen Lobley … was arrested in March 2024 for possessing … [‘a Glock switch, a device that converts a semi-automatic handgun into a fully-automatic sub-machine gun’] while stealing a car, admitting to stealing both an Infiniti Q50 and Dodge Charger, reported stolen March 2 and March 3 respectively.”
WATN further noted that Lobley “was charged with two counts of motor vehicle theft, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of prohibited weapon and two counts of vandalism.”
However, “Lobley was released on his own recognizance — with conditions that included agreeing to weekly call-ins and curfew — approved by the General Sessions court,” WATN added.
Lobley died in a hospital shortly following the Friday morning shootout. Police took Lobley’s 17-year-old accomplice into custody. As of Friday afternoon, the 17-year-old remained in the hospital, sources indicated.
NBC News reported: “Officers responded to a call about a suspicious vehicle at Horn Lake Road and Charter Avenue at 2 a.m.”
“When they approached the car, police said they were fired upon by the occupants inside and officers returned fire,” NBC continued. “In the shower of bullets, two teenage suspects and three officers were hit.”
Per NBC, one of the two officers who was with McKinney was “upgraded to noncritical condition” while the other “was treated on the scene and is in stable condition.”
After reports of McKinney’s death broke, Republican Tennessee Gov. Bill Lee, and Sens. Marsha Blackburn and Bill Hagerty (both R-TN), sent condolences and prayers to the slain officer’s family, friends, and the grieving Memphis Police Department.
McKinney joined the Memphis police force four years ago. According to WREG (a Memphis-based CBS affiliate), the deceased officer leaves behind a widow and daughter.
Following McKinney’s death, Memphis Police Chief C.J. Davis stated, “We’re disturbed by the boldness and use of weapons in just all these situations that we’re seeing in our community. We have a family that’s grieving now. We have a wife that’s grieving now.”
While Davis seemed to blame the tragedy on “gun violence,” many observers took aim at soft-on-crime policies which they say, enabled McKinney’s killer to quickly return to the streets following his March arrest.
Conservative political commentator Collin Rugg outlined the circumstances of Lobley’s arrest and release on X (formerly Twitter) concluding, “Joseph McKinney should be alive.”
End Wokeness, a popular X account critical of left-wing policies, highlighted the connection between Democratic Shelby County District Attorney Steve Mulroy and leftist billionaire George Soros.
“Soros DA Stephen Mulroy is in charge of Memphis,” the account wrote. “He ended cash bail, saying it marginalizes & harms people of color. Soros donated $280k to his campaign.”
For years, Soros’ organizations have been widely criticized for supporting the campaigns of multiple district attorney candidates who espouse liberal stances of crime.
Following McKinney’s death, Mulroy released a statement defending his role in the series of events surrounding Lobley.
The Democrat wrote that his “office strongly argued against lowering [Lobley’s] bond, citing [Lobley’s] danger to the community.”
“Despite our arguments, the Commissioner approved the ROR [release on recognizance] bond,” Mulroy added.
“My office was actively prioritizing the Lobley case, identifying him as a high-risk offender and reviewing his file as part of our Project Safe Neighborhoods state-federal partnership,” the district attorney went on to claim:
Even though Lobley was a first-time offender, his case had been accepted for Federal prosecution. This is consistent with my firm belief, made a part of our “V11” violent crime initiative, that individuals found with stolen cars and guns, or found with Glock switches, can pose a danger and must be dealt with accordingly.
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