Ezekiel Kelly Biography

On Wednesday night, the city of Memphis was placed under lockdown for more than two hours after police received reports that a man was driving around the city and shooting at people.

Because of the situation, a significant portion of midtown Memphis was rendered inaccessible for several hours until approximately 9:30 p.m. following the apprehension of Ezekiel Dejuan Kelly, 19, in Whitehaven

Shootings live-streamed to Facebook; police alert issued

Just after 7 o’clock in the evening, Memphis police sent out a tweet warning the public to be on the lookout for a man who was driving around the city while firing shots.

The police stated that they had information that the man was uploading videos to Facebook; however, they were unable to verify this information.

After initial reports indicated that Kelly was driving a Toyota with a red dealer tag and a broken rear window, the police advised the public to keep an eye out for him in a grey Toyota with an Arkansas license plate AEV63K.

The Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) has indefinitely suspended bus and trolley service while they search for the suspect in the shooting.

In a press release that was distributed by the public transit service on Wednesday evening at 8:30, the company stated that its “leaders are acting in an abundance of caution and care for the safety of its drivers and riders.”

There have been reports that the suspect is filming himself shooting and uploading the videos to Facebook, according to the MPD.

The University of Memphis issued an alert to the campus at 7:31 p.m., stating that shots had been fired in the area of Patterson Street and Southern Avenue, which is located in the southwestern corner of the campus. The warning states that the individual “immediately fled” the vicinity after receiving the information.

The University of Minnesota stated that “there is no threat currently at the University” in an updated alert that was sent out at 8:09 p.m., but students were advised to stay inside and follow the advice of the police.

The doors of all buildings on campus were locked “for general safety,” and there were officers on patrol in the surrounding area.

According to the warning issued by the University of Michigan, “All University phones and the LiveSafe app have apparently been overwhelmed by the volume of calls and reports.”

In a tweet sent out at 8 o’clock, the police stated that “the suspect is still at large.”

“Remain inside until the situation has been rectified if you can avoid going outside.”

Midtown Memphis shooting

Near the intersection of Poplar Avenue and McLean Boulevard in the middle of the city, just before 8 o’clock in the evening, a reporter for the Commercial Appeal saw a man who appeared to be injured lying on the sidewalk and being helped into an ambulance. Additionally, there was police crime scene tape blocking the area.

An open-windowed Honda Pilot sport utility vehicle was spotted parked in the vicinity.

On Wednesday evening, law enforcement personnel placed roadblocks along Poplar Avenue between McLean Boulevard and North Evergreen Street.

The Memphis Area Transit Authority (MATA) has indefinitely suspended bus and trolley service while they search for the suspect in the shooting.

In a press release that was distributed by the public transit service on Wednesday evening at 8:30, the company stated that its “leaders are acting in an abundance of caution and care for the safety of its drivers and riders.”

During the course of the search, the authorities issued a warrant for Kelly’s arrest, charging her with murder in the first degree.

A crash and a catch

After receiving a report of a vehicle theft at the Raceway gas station at approximately 9 o’clock in the evening, the police in Southaven blocked off an area there.

Officers from Southaven police said they flooded the area after learning Kelly was a suspect in the theft. They were able to locate Kelly in Whitehaven.

At approximately 9:20 p.m., the police gave the residents the all-clear signal.

Kelly was released from prison in March after serving a sentence of three years for her conviction of attempted first-degree murder. There was a delay in the availability of information regarding the case on Wednesday night.

The police have not revealed what they believe prompted the shooting spree that occurred on Wednesday evening, nor have they immediately provided details regarding the number of people who may have been injured or killed.

In addition, the court records revealed additional information about the adolescent’s background: in 2020, when he was only 17 years old, he was charged with four felonies, including two counts of attempted murder, one count of reckless endangerment, and one count of possession of a firearm.

WREG was told by their sources that in 2021, he entered a guilty plea to the lesser charge of aggravated assault in the case. In that case, he was sentenced to three years in prison, but he had already served his time.

According to Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland, Kelly was granted his freedom on March 16 after serving 11 months of a three-year sentence for a guilty plea to aggravated assault. Kelly had pleaded guilty to the charge.

During the course of the rampage, Kelly stated in posts to various social media platforms that he would not be returning to jail.