MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - A grand jury has indicted a 21-year-old man in the shootings of three people and the death of a police officer in downtown Memphis in June.
The Shelby County district attorney’s office said Wednesday that Justin Welch has been indicted on 14 felony counts, including first-degree murder in the death of Memphis Police Officer Verdell Smith.
The indictment, which had been expected, charges Welch with attempted murder in the shootings of two people at a restaurant and another person outside the iconic Memphis Pyramid on June 4. All three survived.
Police said Welch then led officers on a chase in a stolen car before hitting Smith, who was clearing pedestrians from the vehicle’s path near Beale Street, a busy tourist destination.
A public defender has been assigned to defend Welch.
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