Shooting at Memphis block party leaves 2 dead, 6 injured

In a statement, Memphis police said officers responded to the scene around 7:19 PM and found five people who had been shot. Of those shot, three were transported to the hospital in critical condition, and two were pronounced dead.

The initial report said there were a total of 16 victims. However, in a follow-up post police revealed that there was an error and that there were only 8 total victims. Authorities then clarified that the remaining victims in the incident "have been upgraded to stable condition," and at least one had been released from the hospital.

Police said that the shooting happened at a "block party that was occurring without a permit." They noted, "There were approximately 200-300 people in attendance."

In a statement, Memphis Mayor Paul Young said, "This morning, we are one community united by grief. We are all Orange Mound this morning." He continued, "There are no words that can adequately express the pain we are all feeling over this most recent act of senseless violence - where guns were brazenly brought to a park filled with young people, families, and children."

"There are no words to describe the frustration of having to use the qualifier 'most recent' when speaking of the violence in our community," Young added. "This must stop. The violence must end. For the future of our city, we have to solve the problem together."

Police are asking anyone with information on this incident to call Crime Stoppers at 910-528-CASH, or submit a tip to https://crimestopmem.org. A statement from Chief "CJ" Davis, said they are working to "increase the award for this incident, given its nature and severity."