Video footage has surfaced of the moment after gunshots were fired at the venue where Lil Baby was performing. According to reports, the rapper had only been on stage at the FedEx Forum in Memphis, Tennessee, for 10 minutes but the event was cut short when one person was left in critical condition following sudden gunfire that left thousands of people running to safety.
Sgt. Louis Brownlee of the Memphis Police Department says that an adult male was wounded just after 10 PM and has since been rushed to the hospital to treat his injuries. Law enforcement officers have yet to identify and find the shooter responsible for the crime, though several people are already believed to have been questioned about the incident.
Baby was expected to perform alongside special guests who include GloRilla, Hunxho, Gloss Up and Rylo Rodriguez. “Someone shot at lil baby concert at FedEx forum. Only in Memphis mane,” one fan at the venue wrote. “Just got f*****g started!!!!! I’m p****d as hellll!” Another frustrated person added.
The shooting rate in Memphis has become a cause for concern as the city experiences a surge in violent crime. According to recent statistics, the violent crime rate in Memphis has reached a 17-year high, with murders increasing by a staggering 35%.
What is particularly alarming is that 73% of these violent crimes involve guns. This rise in violence challenges the effectiveness of current crime-fighting policies, which focus on increasing police presence and imposing tougher sentences.
The chair of the Shelby County Crime Commission suggests that alternative approaches, such as changes in Juvenile Court’s detention policy and implementing restorative justice or more intensive community supervision, should be considered.
It is clear that the current mayor’s efforts to reduce crime have been unsuccessful, with a 34% increase in violent crime and a shocking 72% increase in property crimes since his election.