Chaos erupted overnight as a shooting took place at a Memphis restaurant leaving 2 dead and several others injured.
According to local reports, the Memphis Police Department (MPD) and officers were called to restaurant Prive, for a shooting just after 11:15 p.m. on Wednesday. Cops say gunfire erupted in the parking lot, following a confrontation inside the restaurant that eventually spilled outside. When responding officers arrived at the scene, they found two men who were suffering from gunshot wounds.
Police said one was pronounced dead at the scene and one was taken to Regional One in critical condition and later died. Police say 4 other men and one woman were also hit with bullets. They were all taken to a nearby hospital in private vehicles. So far, their conditions are currently unknown. @tmz_tv and local reports note that the restaurant is reportedly owned by rapper Yo Gotti and his mother.
The Memphis Police Department shared a post to the public confirming that the unfortunate incident happened: “ The statement read: “On March 29, 2023, at 11:17 pm, officers responded to a shooting outside of 6980 Winchester.
The statement read: “On March 29, 2023, at 11:17 pm, officers responded to a shooting outside of 6980 Winchester. Two male victims were located, one was pronounced deceased on the scene and one was transported to ROH critical where he was later pronounced deceased. Five additional victims, four males, and a female, arrived at area hospitals by POVs. Prelim information indicates that the shooting stemmed from an altercation that started inside the club.”
Arthur Horne, the owner’s lawyer, also released a statement to outlet WREG saying they are devastated by the events that took place at the restaurant.
“On behalf of Prive, they’ve been in business for ten years, and nothing like this has ever happened at their establishment,” he said.
Horne said there was an altercation between two groups of guys. “It happened out in the parking lot, and it ended up in a shootout. Nothing happened inside the restaurant. Despite any conflicting reports, they were closing, and this happened at the end of the evening in the parking lot.”
While Gotti does own Prive, a source tells TMZ that he was not in Memphis last night and none of his family members are among the victims of the tragic shooting. The rapper has not yet released a public statement about the incident.
More On The Shooting
What is known is that the assailant or assailants fled after carrying out the mass shooting and are still at large. Although a dispute broke out, police have not said what exactly triggered the initial altercation.
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As of this Thursday morning, images online show officers investigating the scene with crime tape roped around the perimeter of the restaurant as patrol cars are seen parked in front. Local outlets also report that some people were seen crying in front of the crime scene.
We will continue to keep you updated as this story as it develops.