MEMPHIS, TENNESSEE - SEPTEMBER 7: Police investigate the scene of a reported carjacking reportedly connected to a series of shootings on September 7, 2022 in Memphis, Tennessee. Memphis police arrested a 19-year-old man in connection with the shootings of multiple people across the city while allegedly livestreaming the crimes on Facebook, according to published reports. (Photo by Brad Vest/Getty Images)
Four people were killed and three more injured after a young man went on a shooting spree in Memphis on Wednesday, and live-streamed the entire ordeal while doing so.
Ezekiel D. Kelly, 19, is now in custody after a manhunt that saw authorities desperately trying to locate him as he uploaded clips of his deadly shootings in real-time.
A warrant for first-degree murder was issued in the hours leading up to Kelly’s arrest, with a shelter in place eventually being lifted after his capture Wednesday night.
Memphis Police confirmed to WMC that Kelly is responsible for many shootings throughout the city, and also confirmed that he had recorded them on Facebook Live. The teen is being accused of shooting seven people, with four of those victims dying from their injuries.
Court records show that Kelly’s criminal history includes attempted first-degree murder, aggravated assault and reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon, stemming from a 2020 arrest. He was also charged with employment of a firearm with intent to commit a dangerous felony.
Reporter Mia Cathell tweeted that Kelly is a newly-released felon who only served 11 months of his 3-year prison sentence.
Ezekiel Kelly was freed in March after he was convicted of a lesser offense of just aggravated assault. His attempted first-degree murder and felony firearm charges were dismissed, according to Cathell.
Authorities had initially issued a “be on the lookout” warning for Kelly’s vehicle, which bore Arkansas plates. There was some initial confusion as to what car he was driving, as authorities first reported he was in a blue Infiniti, which they later changed to a gray Toyota.
Around 7 p.m. Wednesday, Nick Coulter of the City of West Memphis had told Region 8 News that the shooter may have crossed the border into Arkansas. However, a little over two hours later, Memphis PD announced he was captured just before 9:30 p.m.
On Thursday morning, Police Chief CJ Davis and other officials spoke about the details of the shooting spree, with Kelly causing at least eight crimes during the rampage.
Kelly has been charged with one count of first-degree murder, however more charges will follow, authorities said.
Fox 13 Memphis reports that at least two shootings were reported as of 7 p.m., with one victim being shot at a BP gas station and another woman being critically injured after being shot on Norris Road near I-240.
Memphis PD said another victim was shot on Lyndale Avenue.
“People are frightened,” said District Attorney Steve Mulroy. “People are angry. In times like this, it’s sometimes hard for people to know what to do.”
One of the victims who survived is at Regional One in critical condition. Two others are in non-critical condition.
Just before 8 p.m., the City of Memphis issued a statement on the shootings, tweeting “if you do not need to be out, please stay home!”
The University of Memphis was similarly put on lockdown after shots were fired in the area of Patterson and Southern, according to Fox 13 Memphis. The school sent out a safety alert, and announced that all doors had been locked for safety.
At Around 8:30 p.m., MATA transit officials said that busses and trains would also be on lockdown until the gunman was caught.
Meanwhile, authorities continued to urge everyone to remain indoors until Kelly was captured.
The suspect claimed to have shot five people in a Facebook Live video seen by FOX13, where he appears to walk into an AutoZone store, aim a gun at a man before pulling the trigger.
Kelly reportedly carjacked a Dodge Challenger before multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the scene and arrested him.
Records show Kelly is scheduled to appear in court Friday morning at 9 a.m.
