A Memphis police officer was shot in the head and another person was fatally shot outside of a library on Thursday.
The shooting in front of the Poplar-White State Library in East Memphis left the officer in critical condition. The identity of the officer has not been revealed.
“According to initial reports, as the two officers attempted to talk to the individual he produced a weapon and shot one of the officers,” a statement from the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) said.
“The second officer returned fire, striking the individual,” it said. “He was pronounced dead at the scene.”
Torence Jackson, 28, was the man confronted by officers for trespassing on public property. Police say he pulled a gun and shot an officer before a second officer returned fire and killed the shooter.
The shooter died at the scene. Both individuals were rushed to Regional One Hospital.
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Jackson had been arrested over 30 times in Indiana on past charges, including battery with a deadly weapon, according to Fox 13 News.
Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland (D) released a statement following the shooting on Thursday.
“Please pray for the injured police officer. I spent the afternoon with the officer’s family, pastor and some co-workers, and they need to be uplifted in prayer too,” he wrote.
Rep. Steve Cohen (D-TN) also released a statement following the tragedy.
“While details are still emerging, I express my concern for the officer wounded in today’s incident, and I hope for a swift and full recovery,” Cohen wrote. “The level of violence in our city, which affects everyone from ordinary citizens to law enforcement officials, is unacceptable. I am determined to continue working with state, local and federal officials to improve public safety for all Memphians.”
The TBI is working on the case at the request of the Shelby County prosecutor, according to the Associated Press. Agents from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) were also on the scene, according to the Memphis police.
The shooting also comes just days after the release of body cam footage of five former Memphis police officers involved in the fatal beating of black man Tyre Nichols.
The five men have been charged with second-degree murder, with the release of the video leading to concerns of additional violence over the alleged acts of police brutality.
