MPD investigating
By: Travis Griggs
Staff Reporter
Issue date: 10/2/07 Section: Other Stories
- Page 1 of 1
Although University President Shirley Raines said that the shooting Sunday night was a targeted crime, the Memphis Police Department is unable to verify that it was not a random act. In a Monday morning press conference, Raines said that the attack was "an act directed specifically at the victim," and "was not a random act of violence."
But Monday afternoon, Memphis Police Department Director Larry Godwin said, "We really don't know whether it was a random act, or whether or not this individual was targeted. I hope our investigation will give us a little bit of information or insight into that real soon."
Godwin explained the announcement was based on the campus's low crime rate and the location of the shooting.
"Because (the Carpenter Complex) is gated and secure, it points in the direction that it was not a random act, but to verify it, we can't do it at this time," Godwin said.
Godwin said that he is asking the Memphis City Council to increase the maximum reward for information in this case to $5,000.
"We know there are members of our great community that have information about this crime and can help bring justice to this senseless act of violence in our community," Godwin said.
Godwin described the investigation as "being in its infancy," and he stressed that few details were known at this time.
Officials believe that there were up to two male assailants, but are unsure of motives or other details, such as if they are students at The University, what type of gun they used or how they fled.
According to Godwin, police are retracing Bradford's steps over the last two days but are unsure of many details.
"There are rumors that he went to the casino...but we don't want to release any information at this time," Godwin said.
Investigators do know that prior to the shooting, Bradford briefly attended a campus event that dealt with students coming together to make the campus a safer place.
The Memphis Police Department Homicide Bureau and The University of Memphis Police said that anyone with information about this case should call Crime Stoppers at 528-CASH (2274).
But Monday afternoon, Memphis Police Department Director Larry Godwin said, "We really don't know whether it was a random act, or whether or not this individual was targeted. I hope our investigation will give us a little bit of information or insight into that real soon."
Godwin explained the announcement was based on the campus's low crime rate and the location of the shooting.
"Because (the Carpenter Complex) is gated and secure, it points in the direction that it was not a random act, but to verify it, we can't do it at this time," Godwin said.
Godwin said that he is asking the Memphis City Council to increase the maximum reward for information in this case to $5,000.
"We know there are members of our great community that have information about this crime and can help bring justice to this senseless act of violence in our community," Godwin said.
Godwin described the investigation as "being in its infancy," and he stressed that few details were known at this time.
Officials believe that there were up to two male assailants, but are unsure of motives or other details, such as if they are students at The University, what type of gun they used or how they fled.
According to Godwin, police are retracing Bradford's steps over the last two days but are unsure of many details.
"There are rumors that he went to the casino...but we don't want to release any information at this time," Godwin said.
Investigators do know that prior to the shooting, Bradford briefly attended a campus event that dealt with students coming together to make the campus a safer place.
The Memphis Police Department Homicide Bureau and The University of Memphis Police said that anyone with information about this case should call Crime Stoppers at 528-CASH (2274).