What Is A Blue Alert? Statewide notice issued as Memphis officer critically injured in Parkway Village shooting
what is a blue alert was a question raised Thursday night after a Memphis police officer was seriously injured in a shooting around 8: 15 p. m. in the Parkway Village area and a statewide Blue Alert was issued for a Tennessee man.
Officer shot during Thursday night incident in Parkway Village
A Memphis police officer was seriously injured in a shooting around 8: 15 p. m. in the Parkway Village area, and unofficial police sources indicated the officer was shot. The officer was rushed to Regional One Hospital, where a plethora of law enforcement vehicles remained stationed hours after the shooting.
Massive law enforcement presence along South Perkins Road
The response was concentrated along South Perkins Road near Cottonwood Road, where a massive law enforcement presence was most saturated. Authorities briefly shut down I-240 while the officer was rushed to the hospital, and the area around the shooting was placed on lockdown with residents not being allowed to pass through.
Condition of the officer: fighting for life but stable
An official department spokesperson said the officer is currently fighting for their life, but remains stable. Other police the officer is expected to survive, reflecting differing assessments from within law enforcement about the officer’s outlook.
What Is A Blue Alert: statewide notice issued for Tennessee man
State authorities issued a statewide Blue Alert for a Tennessee man in connection with the incident; the suspect remains at large. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation was contacted for comment, and a representative with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said agents have not been called to Memphis to investigate this matter.
Local officials’ reactions and an unconfirmed detail about a traffic stop
Memphis City Councilman JB Smiley posted on social media saying the shooting happened during a traffic stop, though department spokespersons have yet to confirm that detail. Other local leaders, including Shelby County Commissioner Charlie Caswell and representatives with the West Memphis Police Department across the river, posted online Thursday night saying they are praying that the perpetrator is caught.
The suspected shooter remains at large, and law enforcement maintained a heavy presence at Regional One Hospital and in the surrounding neighborhood hours after the incident.
Ongoing coverage and next steps
Action News 5 said it will continue to follow statements and reactions from local officials. Copyright 2026 WMC. All rights reserved.
