Tennessee authorities said early Sunday that a police officer died after being struck by a vehicle following a shooting in downtown Memphis that left three wounded. Memphis Police Department Director Mike Rallings said during a news conference that Officer Verdell Smith was pronounced from his injuries at 10:45 p.m. Saturday.
Smith, 46, was an 18-year veteran of the police force. He’s survived by a father, fiancé, son and two daughters.
"This highlights the dangers officers face every day," Rallings said.
Police said two people were in critical condition after being shot near a Westy’s restaurant at about 10:00 p.m. They said the suspect ran into a Bass Pro Pyramid and shot a male employee. The condition of the employee wasn’t immediately known.
Martin Norris and Jake Schorr IV, two Westy’s employees, told the Memphis Commercial Appeal that a man was talking loudly to himself, walked up to two customers who were sat at a picnic table in front of the restaurant and shot them.
Police said the suspect fled in a vehicle and struck Smith.
The unidentified suspect was arrested.
Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland urged the city in a statement to pray for Smith and his family.
"I am angry this morning -- angry at the senseless loss of a dedicated public servant, and angry at the absolutely unacceptable level of violence in our city," Strickland said. "We must not accept this as our norm. I most certainly will not, and I will continue to act to make our city safer."
