Man Arrested After Allegedly Livestreaming Shootings in Memphis

Memphis police have arrested a man who allegedly broadcasted a shooting spree on Facebook Live.

According to WREG, the first attack was reported around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday at a gas station in South Memphis, where a man was fatally shot. A woman was critically wounded shortly after on Norris Road near I-240.

Police have not confirmed whether the suspect, identified as 19-year-old Ezekiel Kelly, was actually responsible for the shootings. However, Kelly reportedly claimed responsibility for multiple murders while streaming.

In one of the videos obtained by Fox 13, a man is heard saying “this shit for real” as he exits his car. He then appears to enter an AutoZone store and open fire on a man. The gunman reportedly claimed to have shot five people during that stream.

“Multiple shootings were reported in the city Wednesday, and there were at least two deaths, police said, but it was not clear whether they were connected to Kelly’s arrest,” writes the Washington Post.

According to local outlets, the suspect was initially seen driving a blue Infiniti with a broken rear window. Shortly after, he allegedly carjacked a Toyota SUV. 

Police issued a shelter-in-place order as they searched for the suspect. A little after 9 p.m., the gunman reportedly crashed his car near Ivan Road and was taken into custody. Authorities have since lifted the lockdown.

Memphis Police Sgt. Louis Brownlee confirmed Kelly was arrested in 2020 for first-degree murder and reckless endangerment charges. Though he reportedly received a three-year sentence behind bars, the suspect was ultimately released in mid-March of this year.

According to court documents reviewed by the Commercial Appeal, a warrant for Kelly’s first-degree murder charge was issued Wednesday, though it’s not certain whether it was related to the alleged shooting rampage.