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Man charged with running over Memphis officer has court date

Jul 13, 2016 | 4:35 PM

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A man charged with shooting three people and then running over and killing a Memphis police officer is scheduled to appear in court for a preliminary hearing.

Justine Welch faces charges of first-degree murder, attempted murder and evading arrest in what authorities have called a crime spree on a busy weekend night in downtown Memphis on June 4.

He is set to appear before a judge Wednesday morning with his public defender.

The 21-year-old Welch is accused of shooting two people at a restaurant and another person outside the shopping and recreational complex called the Memphis Pyramid. Police say he led officers on a chase in a stolen car before hitting Officer Verdell Smith, who was clearing pedestrians from the vehicle’s path near Beale Street.