Action News 5 - Memphis, TennesseeRoutine traffic stop leads to officer-involved shooting

Routine traffic stop leads to officer-involved shooting

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By Kontji Anthony - email
MEMPHIS, TN -

(WMC-TV) - Memphis police said a driver tried to strong-arm a pair of patrolmen Friday night and was shot in the process.

Neighbors on Guernsey off Treadwell heard and saw what happened around 9:30 p.m. Friday.

"I was in the house watching TV and I heard the gunshots," said neighbor Coze Thatuyikeze.

"A sea of blue lights, that's exactly what it was," said neighbor Cedric Washington.  "They were coming from all directions.  Helicopters and stuff.  It was something to see."

Memphis police said the scene was the result of a routine traffic stop.

Police said when the officers approached the car, the driver attacked.  They said he got his hands on one of the officer's baton.  That was when one of the officers shot him in the arm.

Neighbors said the only thing that phased them was that an officer was involved.

"It doesn't phase me at all," said Washington.  "That's why I didn't bother to get up out of the bed until they came and told me you've got to see this."

Neighbors said gunshots are common in the neighborhood, but said it is not common to see paramedics carrying away officers.

"When I came out here, they were taking the police officer on the gurney, the paramedics," said Washington.  "They were taking him away."

The two officers and suspect all went to the hospital with non-critical injuries.  The officer who shot is off duty with pay pending the outcome of an investigation.

No names have been released.  The investigation is ongoing.

Copyright 2012 WMC-TV. All rights reserved.

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