MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Details are emerging after a barricade in southwest Memphis that left two men dead.
What started as a call about a shooting at a southwest Memphis home Friday afternoon escalated within minutes.
“The suspect then barricaded himself inside the home along with the victim and a four-year-old female,” said Sgt. Louis Brownlee with the Memphis Police Department.
As a result, Memphis Police deployed a crisis intervention team to the scene along Heartland Lane and began negotiations with the suspect. At one point, officers were able to convince the suspect to release the little girl, whose relationship to him is unknown at this time.
“They did what they were taught to do and were able to get the young lady out and get her to safety,” Brownlee said. “We’re happy about that.”
The joy would be short-lived as officers entered the home and found two people dead. Investigators believe the suspect killed his father and then shot himself. While on the scene, MPD says they learned that the suspect may have suffered from mental health issues.
“If you see someone you care about suffering, do the right thing and encourage them to get help,” Brownlee said.
It’s a sentiment not only echoed by law enforcement, but also by mental health professionals. Karen Morgan is the incoming executive director at Grace House of Memphis, a rehabilitation facility, and tells WREG the pandemic has increased the number of people dealing with mental health issues.
“It’s important to be able to talk to someone who can see your situation from a different perspective,” Morgan said. “We’ve certainly seen a huge increase in depression and anxiety and unfortunately, if left untreated, it can lead to the tragic events that have happened recently.”
As the investigation continues, conversations about mental health will linger after a tragedy leaves a family in mourning.
At the moment, the motive or the names of the people involved in the shooting are not known.
