Memphis saw a violent week with multiple victims, but the trend of declining homicides is continuing into 2025. On January 30, two people were killed and three others injured in a shooting in College Park neighborhood. The victims have been identified as Marcus Epps, 27, and Leon Parker, 30.
This marks one of several shootings in Memphis over the past week, including seven on January 25. Four people were shot at the Orange Mound Community Center, with two men in noncritical condition and one in critical condition. A woman was also injured in another shooting at Main Event in Cordova.
Despite the recent violence, homicides are still trending down overall. In 2024, Memphis experienced its lowest number of homicides since 2019, with 25 reported through January 31. This is a 7.4% decrease from last year’s total. However, aggravated assaults are up 11% and car thefts are down 42%.
Memphis Mayor Paul Young referenced the College Park shooting in his State of the City address, saying crime statistics for the first month of 2025 are “slightly below” the same period in 2024.
Local residents, including Denise Williams Green, president of the Melrose High Alumni Association, expressed frustration with the local criminal justice system and a need for more legislative solutions to hold perpetrators accountable. State politicians continue to push for changes to the bail system, with a bill introduced by Sen. Brent Taylor that would create a presumption against releasing defendants without bail in cases involving firearms or serious bodily injury.
As Memphis moves forward into 2025, residents will be watching closely to see if the trend of declining homicides continues.
Source: https://dailymemphian.com/article/49474/shootings-homicides-memphis-crime-public-safety-police