MEMPHIS, Tenn. – Tennessee National Guardsmen with the Memphis Safe Task Force supported the Memphis Police Department while responding to a shooting April 12 in North Memphis, providing immediate medical aid to the victim and securing key evidence.
At about 1:10 a.m., three Guardsmen from the 190th Combat Engineer Company and the Memphis Police had just finished responding to a disturbance at a local laundromat in Frayser when they received a radio call alerting them to a shooting at a nearby gas station on Whitney Avenue. Responding immediately, the Guardsmen and officers arrived at the gas station less than a minute later, with an additional National Guard team arriving a few minutes behind them.
The Soldiers found a gunshot victim who was wounded in the leg and immediately began rendering first aid. They cut away the victim’s clothing, allowing the Memphis Police officer to apply a tourniquet to the wounded limb. They also radioed for an ambulance and stabilized the victim until they were transported by Emergency Medical Services to a local hospital.
The second team of Guardsmen secured the area around the crime scene and discovered a shell case possibly used in the incident. They protected the integrity of the crime scene and preserved the evidence for the Memphis Police Department.
"When seconds mattered, our Soldiers stepped in and provided critical first aid that helped save a life,” said Lt. Col. Jacob Partridge, commander of the 230th Engineer Battalion. “Supporting our law enforcement partners and serving the community is at the heart of this mission, and we remain committed to helping keep Memphis safe for everyone.”
The Tennessee National Guard continues to support the Memphis Safe Task Force in partnership with local law enforcement and always is ready to help fellow citizens.