Juvenile shot confronting car thieves in Hickory Hill

A juvenile was shot early Sunday, May 10, 2026, after confronting suspected car thieves outside a home in Hickory Hill, Memphis police said.

Officers responding to the shooting found the victim near the residence and called for an ambulance. The juvenile was taken to a Memphis hospital for treatment. Police did not release the victim’s name, exact age, or condition as of Sunday afternoon.

The initial investigation suggests the victim was inside the home when they heard noise outside, according to police. The juvenile went out to investigate and came upon people near a vehicle. An encounter followed, and one of the people produced a gun and fired. The group then got into a car and drove off.

Investigators did not say whether a vehicle was stolen or whether more than one suspect fired a weapon. There was no immediate update on whether the injuries were considered life-threatening, and police did not rule out serious harm.

No arrests had been announced by early Sunday evening. Officers were processing the scene, collecting evidence, and checking nearby homes for security cameras. Police also asked anyone who saw a suspicious vehicle moving through the neighborhood Saturday night or early Sunday to come forward.

The shooting is another reminder that car theft can turn violent quickly. While most vehicle break-ins end without physical contact, any confrontation carries risk, especially in the dark.

Hickory Hill is a residential area in southeast Memphis, and many families in the area use driveways and street parking. Residents have reported more overnight vehicle break-ins in recent months. In some cases, doorbell cameras have captured people walking down driveways and checking car door handles.

Neighborhood crime-watch groups have asked for extra patrols around subdivisions near Winchester Road, one of the main corridors through the area. Sunday’s shooting is likely to add pressure on police commanders to respond.

Police have not said whether they believe the shooting was connected to recent vehicle thefts in southeast Memphis. That type of determination usually comes after detectives finish reviewing video and conducting witness interviews.

The department’s standard advice is to call 911 immediately when someone sees a car being broken into or stolen. Police also tell residents not to approach suspects. Instead, they say, stay at a safe distance, record what is visible, and give dispatchers a description of the people and the vehicle.

That guidance was echoed by public safety experts who follow vehicle theft trends. The safest way to help is to document the activity and report it, not to intervene physically. One pulled trigger can turn a property crime into a violent one.

Memphis is one of several large cities where auto theft reports have climbed in recent years. Local law enforcement has run targeted patrols and bait-car operations designed to catch thieves. Those efforts have led to arrests in other parts of the city.

The juvenile’s family has not spoken publicly. Police did not say whether other people were home at the time of the shooting.

Investigators are expected to provide more details after they finish interviewing witnesses and reviewing surveillance footage. Detectives have asked residents with exterior cameras to check for anything captured overnight, even if the camera did not alert them.

Anyone with information about the shooting is asked to call Memphis Police Department’s Felony Assault Unit or Crime Stoppers at 901-528-CASH. Callers can remain anonymous. Security camera video can also be submitted through the department’s online tip portal.

The investigation remains open, and a full police report is expected to be released once the case is documented. Officers did not say whether any of the suspects had been identified by name as of Sunday evening.