Ezekiel Kelly grinned for cameras from the back of a car after he was arrested by the Memphis Police Department following an alleged 20-hour shooting spree that killed at least four people.
Kelly, aged 19, is accused of injuring a number of other people during the rampage that he is alleged to have filmed on Facebook Live.
The shooting spree began around 12:56 a.m. on Wednesday and continued until about 8:30 p.m. On Wednesday, police issued a warning to city residents to stay indoors unless absolutely necessary.
"ALERT!! ARMED AND DANGEROUS!!!" Memphis police said in their initial Twitter post.
"Be on the lookout for a [Black male] occupying a blue or silver sedan (possibly an Infiniti or Nissan) who is responsible for multiple shootings.
"We are getting reports that he is recording his actions on Facebook. We do not have a specific location of where he is now.
"If you have any information of his whereabouts call 911 immediately."
Kelly was eventually arrested after crossing state lines into Arkansas.
Following his arrest, Action 5 News journalist Joyce Peterson released an image of Kelly after he had been taken into police custody.
In the picture, Kelly can be seen smiling broadly while sitting in a vehicle.
"This man, according to MPD, killed four people at 8 crime scenes while broadcasting some of it on social media," she tweeted.
"MPD Chief Davis implores the community to contact authorities, seek help if a loved one or friend needs mental health support."
This man, according to MPD, killed four people at 8 crime scenes while broadcasting some of it on social media. MPD Chief Davis implores the community to contact authorities, seek help if a loved one or friend needs mental health support. pic.twitter.com/CW3XIsjDSk
— Joyce Peterson (@MemphoNewsLady) September 8, 2022
Memphis Police Chief Cerelyn Davis gave details of Kelly's arrest and the trail of bloodshed at a press conference.
"On September 7, 2022, at 12:56 a.m. officers responded to a shooting in the block of Lyndale Avenue. Officers located a male victim in the driveway," she said.
"The male was pronounced deceased on the scene. The homicide suspect was known as Zeek Huncho, he was later identified as Ezekiel Kelly, 19-years-old.
"At 4:38 p.m. officers responded to a shooting in the 900 block of South Parkway East. Officers located a male victim and his vehicle with multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced deceased on the scene.
"Video surveillance at the business revealed a Black male pulled up next to the victim in a gray sedan.
"The suspect fired multiple shots and fled south on College Street.
"At 4:40 p.m. officers responded to a shooting at Norris Road and Interstate 240. Officers located a female victim with a gunshot wound to the leg. The victim was transported to the hospital, non critical."
Davis spoke about at least another four other shooting incidents that the police were alerted to, including one woman who was pronounced dead on the scene.
She also praised members of the public that contacted the police after seeing his live stream, where it is alleged Kelly was threatening to shoot more people.
One of the shooting victims also had their car allegedly stolen by Kelly. The police chief noted that the suspect was eventually apprehended after carjacking a grey Dodge Challenger, leaving a gray SUV that had been stolen from a previous victim.
"At 8:58 p.m. Memphis police officers spotted the Dodge Challenger northbound on Interstate 55 from State Line Road," she continued.
"A high speed pursuit began. The pursuit terminated at Hyde Road and Ivan Row.
— Memphis Police Dept (@MEM_PoliceDept) September 8, 2022
"The male driver, identified as Ezekiel Kelly, was taken into custody without incident by the Memphis Police Department and the Shelby County Sheriff's Office.
"Two weapons were visible inside the vehicle where Kelly was, the homicide division and other investigative units are actively working these crime scenes now."
The aunt of Kelly, who wished to remain anonymous, spoke to The U.S. Sun about her nephew's mental state.
"I found out this evening. I'm shocked just like everybody else. The only person who knows what's going on with Ezekiel is Ezekiel," she said.
"He's got a lot of stuff going on, a lot of deaths around him," she added. He wasn't just going around doing something as a joke. There's something going on with him mentally, he needs help."
Asked if Kelly was of sound mind during the alleged shootings, she replied: "No, he wasn't. That's not him. It's hard to survive here, especially when you don't know who your daddy is. And you're dealing with these deaths.
"I'm his aunt. I hate that people lost their lives. I sympathize and empathize, but I haven't heard anything from him."
Newsweek has contacted the Memphis Police Department for comment.
Read more
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- Arrested Memphis Shooting Spree Suspect Allegedly Posted on Facebook Live
- Teenager Shot Dead in Prank Gone Wrong: Police
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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