Memphis Local, Sports, Business & Food News | Daily Memphian | Public Safety

Violent-crime rate continues slide, led by robbery decline

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Mon, 26 Oct 2026 06:19:11 -0500

Memphis’ major violent-crime rate has continued falling throughout the year, according to the latest data from the Memphis Shelby Crime Commission.

Fatal shooting of Senatobia infant 'was justified,' Mississippi AG rules

afleming@dailymemphian.com (Aarron Fleming) — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 14:22:20 -0500

Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch has cleared a Senatobia police officer of wrongdoing in a fatal June shooting of a 1-year-old.

Gov. Reeves appoints new County Court judge for DeSoto County

afleming@dailymemphian.com (Aarron Fleming) — Mon, 19 Oct 2026 12:16:32 -0500

The appointment appointed is the latest in a series of recent judicial shakeups.

Man died of heart issues during traffic stop, Task Force says

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Thu, 15 Oct 2026 16:50:40 -0500

“Long-term issues associated with his heart” was the cause of death for the man found unresponsive during a Monday, Oct. 12, traffic stop, according to a Memphis Safe Task Force spokesman.

Memphis Safe Task Force pursuit ends in fatal multi-vehicle crash

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Fri, 16 Oct 2026 09:14:56 -0500

A 32-year-old man is facing vehicular homicide and other charges following a high-speed pursuit with law enforcement on Wednesday.

Man dies during Memphis Safe Task Force traffic stop

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 13:31:38 -0500

A man was found unresponsive during a traffic stop made by Memphis Safe Task Force Officers. The cause of death has not been determined yet.

Vigils held for 5 deaths in officer-involved car crash

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Wed, 14 Oct 2026 14:47:14 -0500

Two vigils were held on back-to-back nights to honor five young people killed in a crash involving Memphis police officers.

Man charged after Memphis police shooting

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Tue, 13 Oct 2026 20:34:29 -0500

Dalvin Johnson was arraigned Tuesday, and a judge set his bond at $500,000. He remains at Regional One Health after officers returned fire.

Sheriff Buckner taps new chief inspector

blagrone@dailymemphian.com (Brandon LaGrone II) — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 17:09:30 -0500

A law enforcement career that began as a teenage volunteer has led to a top leadership position in the Shelby County Sheriff’s Office.

Jury finds man guilty for killing Memphis musician

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 14:01:21 -0500

A man was charged with first-degree murder for the 2024 killing of Blake Rhea, a bass player in the band Southern Avenue.

5 dead, 3 injured after crash involving MPD officers in Hickory Hill

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Mon, 12 Oct 2026 20:57:42 -0500

Five people were killed and three others were left in critical condition after a crash involving Memphis police officers overnight Saturday.

MPD officers shoot, critically injure man during chase

jcallahan@dailymemphian.com (Jody Callahan) — Sun, 11 Oct 2026 09:46:50 -0500

Officials said two officers returned fire after a suspect shot at them during a foot chase.

Wrongful-conviction case of alleged killer delayed

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Fri, 9 Oct 2026 18:44:10 -0500

When Andrew Hayes returns to court in November, Judge Lee Coffee will hear a motion asking the judge to remove himself from the case.

Inmate accused of killing cellmate waives bond hearing

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Thu, 8 Oct 2026 14:40:05 -0500

Jonathan Griffin, 19, is charged with first-degree murder of his cellmate, Erick Jones, 23.

Jail East inmate died by suicide

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Thu, 8 Oct 2026 13:29:24 -0500

The autopsy report said Beverly Turnage was found unresponsive in her cell Sept. 12.

Shelby County jail inmate killed

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Tue, 6 Oct 2026 21:43:40 -0500

The Shelby County Sheriff’s Office is launching a homicide investigation after an inmate’s death on Tuesday, Oct. 6, at 201 Poplar.

Christa Pike is conscious and speaking after failed execution, her attorneys say

editions@dailymemphian.com (The Associated Press) — Tue, 6 Oct 2026 16:11:30 -0500

Christa Pike survived two doses of pentobarbital as Tennessee officials attempted to put her to death.

Opinion: Former Mayor Wharton on how violence intervention and law enforcement make a difference

opinion@dailymemphian.com (A C Wharton) — Mon, 5 Oct 2026 04:00:01 -0500

“I am not exaggerating when I tell you gunshots used to awaken me almost every night, or that patching the bullet holes in our roof used to be an annual expense. I am also not exaggerating when I say it’s gotten a lot better.”

More than half of Tennessee death row inmates are from Shelby County

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Fri, 2 Oct 2026 18:52:14 -0500

The failed attempt to execute Christa Pike has put Tennessee under scrutiny.

Members of Unknown Vice Lords gang sentenced for attempted murder

mevans@dailymemphian.com (Mary Evans) — Fri, 2 Oct 2026 05:32:38 -0500

Three members of the Unknown Vice Lords, also known as Ghost Mob, drew prison sentences of seven to 25 years each for a 2020 retaliation shooting in the city.