Memphis Traffic Stop Turns Into Shootout, Officer Shot, Manhunt Underway

On Thursday night, a Memphis Police Department (MPD) officer was severely wounded after a traffic stop involving a criminal in the Parkway Village neighbourhood led to a shooting that sparked a massive police response, a statewide manhunt, and the activation of a Blue Alert.

The shooting has shaken the city, as police and local leaders continue to search for the suspected gunman and urge the public to assist while warning that the suspect is armed and dangerous.

Shooting During Routine Traffic Stop

The incident happened at around 8:15 pm on Thursday along South Perkins Road and Cottonwood Road when the officers pulled a vehicle during a normal traffic stop. Multiple sources with the MPD gave an account that a person who was in the vehicle fired at the officer in the case, hitting him and escaping.

The exact events preceding the shooting are yet to be officially established by the department, but the sources and local authorities have come out to claim that the shooting was unprovoked.

Law enforcement vehicles, including those of the Memphis police units and state troopers, swarmed the neighbourhood as officers set up a perimeter, and started combing the area in search of the culprit. Sections of I-240 was also temporarily shut down to facilitate emergency response and investigation.

Officer Rushed To Regional One Hospital

The injured officer was stabilised on the spot by emergency medical personnel before being transported to the Regional One Medical Centre, where critical care was administered. Sources associated with the case stated that the officer is is currently fighting for their life but remains in stable condition.

A heavy law enforcement presence was maintained around the hospital into the early hours of Friday morning, with at least 15 police vehicles and multiple agencies present as a show of support and to protect both the officer and responding personnel.

Blue Alert Issued As Manhunt Begins

A short time before midnight, Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) declared a statewide Blue Alert to assist with the investigation of the suspect which the person of interest in the attempted first-degree murder of the MPD officer was identified as Danell Maxwell, 40, of Memphis.

Maxwell is said to be around 5 ft 10 in height, close to 180 lb, and wearing a dark outfit and an orange and green reflective vest, and is believed to have a silver handgun.

Blue Alerts are emergency public safety notifications used when a law enforcement officer has been killed or seriously injured and the suspect poses an imminent threat to other officers or the public. Similar in concept to an Amber Alert, they disseminate critical suspect information through multiple channels, including television, radio, highway signs and wireless alerts.

Authorities have urged residents not to approach Maxwell if sighted and to contact the Memphis Police Department at 901-528-2274 or the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND with any credible information.

Ongoing Investigation

The TBI and Memphis police are leading the investigation, with law enforcement maintaining a visible presence across Memphis and surrounding regions.

Early on Friday, police continued to canvass the area around the traffic stop site and adjacent residential sectors while coordinating tip intake from the public. Street cameras and other surveillance assets may be reviewed as part of the probe, and investigators are working to establish a timeline and motive.

The incident underscores ongoing concerns about officer safety as law enforcement agencies across the United States deal with the inherent dangers of routine enforcement encounters. In recent years, officers in Memphis have faced multiple shootings and violent incidents during traffic stops or other engagements, highlighting the unpredictable nature of such confrontations.