Teen killed in Tom Lee Park shooting during Sunday food truck festival, Memphis police say

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• A male teenager was shot and killed at Tom Lee Park in Memphis during a food truck festival Sunday evening.
• Memphis Police Department is urging anyone with information to contact CrimeStoppers.

A teen was killed at Tom Lee Park over the weekend, the Memphis Police Department said.

The shooting took place Sunday evening, with officers responding to the scene just after 6:45 p.m., during a food truck festival.

“While incidents like these are deeply troubling, they do not define our city,” MPD said in a statement posted to X, formerly known as Twitter. “We are asking for the community’s help — if you saw anything or have any information, please come forward.”

The male teen was found dead at the scene, according to MPD. Police did not confirm the age of the victim, saying it would come after a positive identification is made and next-of-kin is spoken with.

The suspect was described as a young man, with Lt. Col. Gary Badgett telling media at the scene Sunday the suspect could be a juvenile. The suspect was wearing black clothes and a ski mask, Badgett added.

Memphis police are asking for anyone with information to call CrimeStoppers at (901) 528-2274.

Mayor Young calls shooting ‘absolutely unacceptable’

Memphis Mayor Paul Young called the shooting “heartbreaking, infuriating and absolutely unacceptable” in a Monday morning statement.

“And it marks the end of a week filled with far too many acts of lawlessness and violence in our community — from the mass shooting at a Memphis Allies meeting to a child being shot while playing in their own front yard. Enough is enough,” Young said in the statement. “This latest act of violence took place at Tom Lee Park — one of our city’s crown jewels. Our riverfront is meant to be a place of joy, connection and community. The reckless violence carried out during a community event shattered that purpose. My prayers are with the victim, the witnesses and the families affected by this senseless act.”

Young added that the event did not talk with MPD ahead of time and “elected not to have security in place for Sunday’s event.” Even so, Young said MPD officers were just outside the event and responded quickly.

“Public spaces — especially our parks — should always feel welcoming, inviting and safe,” Young said. “Taking steps to leave a life of violence should be met with peace and celebration. And playing in your yard should never be a dangerous endeavor. We are not giving in to chaos. We are not standing down. We will continue doing all the hard work necessary to make Memphis stronger and safer. And that means if you create mayhem in Memphis, we will find you and we will push for quick prosecution. We will win the war against violence in Memphis. This is a promise.”

Lucas Finton covers crime, policing, jails, the courts and criminal justice policy for The Commercial Appeal. He can be reached by phone or email: (901)208-3922 and [email protected], and followed on X @LucasFinton.