Man charged with running over Memphis officer has court date
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.