Man charged in Memphis shooting that killed 1, injured 10

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A man has been charged with participating in a Memphis shooting that left one person dead and 10 others injured.

Julius Michael Freeman, 21, of Memphis, admitted to driving the shooter to and from the area where the gunman opened fire early Sunday and to handing him a rifle from the trunk of Freemen’s Dodge Charter, according to a police affidavit.

Freeman is charged with facilitation of second-degree murder, five counts of attempted facilitation of second-degree murder and five counts of possession of a firearm to commit a dangerous felony, the Commercial Appeal reported.

Freeman was one of three men police identified as persons of interest after the shooting early Sunday. It could not immediately be determined Monday if Freeman has retained an attorney who could speak on his behalf.

Victims were found at two locations in the Whitehaven neighborhood of Memphis, about 10 miles (16 kilometers) south of downtown and near the Memphis International Airport.

Police responded first to Memphis nightclub the Live Lounge, according to a police news release. Seven people were injured there, two critically.

While there, police were notified that other victims of the shooting were about a mile away. There, one male victim was pronounced dead. Three more people were critically wounded, according to police.

The police affidavit said Freeman turned himself in.

Both locations where the victims were found were on East Shelby Drive, a commercial corridor of restaurants, grocery stores, churches and medical offices surrounded by residential streets.

Police do not know what led to the shooting or whether the shooter knew the victims.

Freeman is scheduled to appear in court Tuesday morning.

Anyone with information is asked to call 901-528-CASH with tips.

Beloved restauranteur providing earthquake relief

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — From his relief mission to Turkey after devastating earthquakes there, the owner of Yassin’s Falafel House encountered a father desperately seeking milk and diapers for his 9-month-old baby. Sheltered in tents, along with other earthquake survivors, the man’s family also needed blankets, food and medical support.

The next day, Yassin Terou and his team of volunteers were able to deliver a box of the special milk for the baby and other supplies survivors had told them they needed.

“Because of you and your donation, we are able to help this gentleman,” Terou told supporters of his fundraiser during a Facebook Live video.

Terou and volunteers including Andrew Randazzo, a medical team instructor and trained paramedic based in Knoxville, have been in Turkey since Feb. 10. They’ve shared updates on social media of their relief efforts in a few of the most affected areas.

Terou — who has lived in Knoxville since 2011 after leaving Syria as a refugee — immediately launched an online fundraiser following the Feb. 6 quakes in Turkey and Syria to aid in emergency relief. As of Feb. 15, the campaign had raised more than $190,000 toward its current goal of $200,000, shattering its original goal of $20,000 many times over.

The funds have gone toward food, medical support, sleeping bags, and other necessary supplies.

“We appreciate (the support),” Terou said. “This is the goal I’ve been wanting to do: Building bridges built with love. Thank you for sending me here. Still a lot of work to do and we’re going to do it together. Thank you so much.”

The mission has reunited the restaurateur with his brothers, one of whom is a survivor of the earthquake. The relief volunteers have even gotten to show off some Volunteer pride by wearing Tennessee orange and Vols gear as they offer emotional support to kids affected by the earthquake.

The death toll of the 7.8-magnitude earthquake and powerful aftershocks has risen past 41,000 and much help is still needed in the wake of the disaster. You can donate to Terou’s campaign at launchgood.com/soup.

Memphis police officer dies from wounds in library shooting

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) — A Memphis police officer died Saturday from wounds sustained more than two weeks ago when he was shot while responding to a confrontation at a library, authorities said.

Officer Geoffrey Redd was critically wounded Feb. 2 at the Poplar-White Station Library. Redd, 49, was transported to Regional One Health, where he died “despite the best efforts” by the hospital staff, Memphis police said.

“Rest easy, Officer Redd. You will be missed,” the department said in announcing his death.

Redd served in the U.S. Marine Corps before joining the police department in 2008. He also served as director of security at his church.

Mayor Jim Strickland offered his “deepest condolences” to the slain officer’s family and also “his Memphis police family.”

“He served with honor his country as a marine and his city as a police officer, and we lift up his dedicated public service to the City of Memphis for over 15 years,” the mayor said in a statement.

In the library incident, officers responded after a man started the confrontation with another person. When officers attempted to talk with him, he pulled out a weapon and fired, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has said. Redd was hit.

His partner returned fire, killing the suspect.

Employees and patrons were in the library at the time, but no one else was hurt, according to the TBI.

The bureau often investigates shootings around the state when officers are involved and worked on this case at the request of the Shelby County prosecutor.

Morristown class of 1955 to hold organizational meeting

The Class of 1955, Morristown High School, will meet for a quarterly get-together at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 4.

The get-together will be held at Shoney’s restaurant in Morristown. No reservations are necessary. All 1955 classmates are invited.

For more information, call 423-586-0861.

Call for Entries for Knoxville Photo 2023

The Arts & Culture Alliance announces a call for entries for its 11th annual Knoxville Photo, an exhibition developed to provide a forum for artists to compete on a national scale and display their work. Approximately 40 photographic works from both emerging and established artists will be selected by the juror, Heather Wetzel, for exhibition in the main gallery of the Emporium Center at 100 S. Gay Street, the anchor to Knoxville’s downtown arts scene, from July 7-28, 2023.

The deadline for entries is Sunday, May 7, 2023.

Cash awards will total $1,050, including a $400 Best of Show.

Since 2013, the Arts & Culture Alliance’s Knoxville Photo has presented hundreds of regional photographers’ works and awarded nearly $10,000 in cash prizes.

Artists may view the information and complete the entry form at https://www.knoxalliance.com/photo-entry. Awards include a $400 Best in Show, four $150 Juror’s Citations, and a $50 cash award for Best Work by an Alliance member.

Entries must be original and completed within the last two years (2021-2023). The maximum allowed size of any image (unframed) is 40” x 40”. The nonrefundable entry fee is $30 for up to three images ($20 for Arts & Culture Alliance members and students). Up to three additional images may be submitted for $5/each ($4 for members/students). A “pay what you can afford” fee structure also exists and allows for three entries only.

For more information, please contact Suzanne Cada at 865-523-7543 or sc@knoxalliance.com.