Teen shot, killed during food truck festival at Tom Lee Park, MPD says

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – A teenager died after a shooting at Tom Lee Park during a busy festival Sunday evening.

Memphis Police said investigators believe another juvenile is responsible for the shooting and are asking the public to help catch him.

Investigators said the victim, who is believed to be 15 or 16 years old, was found dead just before 7 p.m., around the same time the Foodee Fest food truck festival was beginning to wrap up.

Investigators said it was difficult to get to the crime scene because of the large crowd in the park and the food trucks blocking parts of Riverside Drive.

“First and foremost, our thoughts go out to the victim and their family and everyone affected by this senseless act of violence,” Lt. Col Gary Badgett of the Memphis Police Department said. “Upon arrival, officers located a male victim who was pronounced deceased at the scene. The suspect is described as a Black male, possibly a juvenile, wearing black clothes and a ski mask.”

Investigators focused most of their efforts on an area near the park’s welcome center and restrooms.

One vendor described the moment the shots rang out and panicked crowds ran to escape the gunfire.

“I was working at my stand and I heard gunshots. Maybe four times. Then I saw people running up and down,” Ernest Sampah, who traveled from Georgia to attend the festival, said. “I tried to hide under my table. It was very scary.”

Badgett stressed that even with the shocking crime, Downtown Memphis should be considered safe.

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