Memphis police officer shoots, kills shooting suspect

MEMPHIS, Tenn. – A police officer has fatally shot a man who was a suspect in two shootings in Tennessee, authorities said Saturday.

Police in Memphis received calls about shootings early Saturday morning in which two men were taken to hospitals, Deputy Chief Sharonda Hampton said.

Hampton said officers found a man fitting the description of the suspect in the shootings and a confrontation took place.

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said in a news release that an officer tried to stop the man and ordered him to show his hands. The TBI said the man stumbled and fell to the ground as he was trying to get away.

The man reached for his waist and threatened the officer’s life as he attempted to get up, the TBI said. The officer fired his gun at least twice, and the man died at a hospital. He has been identified as 27-year-old Terrence Carlton.

Police have not identified the officer. Hampton said the officer has been relieved of duty pending the result of the investigation.

The TBI will hand over the results of its investigation to the Shelby County district attorney, who will decide whether to pursue charges against the officer.