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Officer Verdell
Smith, 46, died shortly after being hit by the suspect's vehicle
around 10:20 p.m. on Saturday, according to the Memphis Police
Department. He was killed while police responded to reports of
three shootings in two locations. The suspect had fled by car.
The suspect, 21-year-old Justin Welch, was apprehended soon
after the incident. On Sunday, police said he had been charged
with multiple crimes including first-degree murder, attempted
first-degree murder and evading arrest.
Jail records did not indicate whether he had an attorney.
The victims of the shootings had been hospitalized, with two
remaining in critical condition Sunday night. The third was
treated and released, Memphis police said.
"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," Memphis Mayor Jim
Strickland said in a statement posted on social media. "We must
not accept this as our norm."
Smith worked for Memphis police for 18 years, the department
said.
(Reporting by Letitia Stein in Tampa, Florida; Editing by Peter
Cooney and Mary Milliken)
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