Car full of kids is riddled with bullets, leaving 4 in critical condition, TN cops say

Four children ranging in age from 2 to 8 are in critical condition after their car was sprayed with bullets during rush hour, according to investigators in Tennessee.

A 30-year-old man was also critically injured, Memphis police said in a Wednesday, June 12, news release.

The shootings occurred June 11 and police haven’t revealed a motive.

It’s also unclear if the victims and defendants knew each other.

“At 5:15 p.m., officers responded to a shooting at 240 West ... and located an empty Chevrolet Malibu on the interstate with bullet holes in the car,” police said.

“Officers were then advised that five victims had arrived by a private vehicle at Baptist East (hospital). ... The children, ages 2, 3, 3, and 8, were transferred to Le Bonheur (Children’s Hospital) in critical condition.”

Police have not said if the victims are related.

A stolen 2022 gray Mitsubishi Outlander was identified as the suspect’s vehicle and located about 15 minutes later traveling on a nearby parkway, police said.

“Officers attempted to stop the vehicle, which refused, and they pursued it. During the pursuit, the suspects fired shots at officers,” police said.

“Aviation (units) continued to track the vehicle until it crashed in a ditch on Bethune Road, and both suspects fled on foot. After a foot pursuit, both were taken into custody.”

Lorenzo Watson, 18, is charged with attempted first-degree murder, employment of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, evading arrest on foot, evading arrest in a vehicle, and theft of property $10,000-$60,000 (motor vehicle), police said.

Kendrick Ray, 21, was charged with attempted first-degree murder, employment of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, evading arrest on foot, and theft of property $10,000-$60,000 (motor vehicle).

Ray also was the suspect in a June 3 carjacking and was additionally charged with carjacking, employment of a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, reckless endangerment, and attempted first-degree murder in that case, police said.

This story was originally published June 12, 2024 at 1:57 PM with the headline "Car full of kids is riddled with bullets, leaving 4 in critical condition, TN cops say."