MEMPHIS, Tenn. — The suspect of a citywide manhunt has been identified and charged, according to Memphis Police Department (MPD), after they said a carjacking and four other crime scenes on Sunday were linked to the same 20-year-old man.
Police said Courdarion Craft is currently facing the following charges: first-degree murder, especially aggravated robbery, carjacking, two counts of aggravated child abuse, evading arrest-felony, and evading arrest-misdemeanor. The D.A.'s office said Monday, A judge has revoked Craft's bond and he will remain in the Shelby County Jail.
An ongoing investigation may result in more charges, police said.
A brief foot pursuit led to the Memphis Police apprehending the man "responsible for tragic events in the 5300 block of Haleville Road," according to MPD.
"My heart aches for the victim's families and those affected by these senseless acts of violence," MPD Chief CJ Davis said in a statement. "Through the hard work and swift action of Memphis Police officers, additional incidents were undoubtedly prevented."
The suspect was reportedly out of jail on a $100,000 bond for criminal attempt at first-degree murder and criminal attempt at an especially aggravated robbery, according to MPD.
A case carrying the same charges was dismissed Friday after Craft did not appear for a preliminary hearing, the Shelby County district attorney's office said in a statement Monday. The DA's office said it plans to present that case to a grand jury for an indictment.
A statement from the judge in that case said, "It was not a nolle prosequi, meaning the state no longer wishes to prosecute, to the contrary it is a nolle prosequi failure to appear. Which is issued, at the request of the state when a defendant does not appear for preliminary hearing. This case then goes to indictment stage."
Court records also showed other theft, burglary and evading arrest charges in previous cases. The DA’s office will ask a judge or judicial commissioner to revoke his bond on existing cases, the statement said.
"It's important to clarify that our office does not set bonds," said a statement from the D.A.'s office. "This responsibility lies with judicial commissioners and judges. However, we can recommend that bonds be revoked, as we did in Craft's case. Today, our efforts were successful, and a judge has revoked all of Craft's bonds, ensuring that he remains in jail."
The crime spree and alert
The City of Memphis sent out an alert earlier in the day stating that there has been one death reported with three shooting victims total. They referred to the suspect as "a wanted felon" who was "armed and considered dangerous."
Officers said they initially responded to the 3700 block of East Shelby Drive at about 10 a.m. and that a Blue Nissan Maxima was taken during the incident.
Through the course of the investigation, it was determined that this scene and four other recent crime scenes possibly involve the same suspect, according to the City of Memphis' alert.
The suspect was described by police as wearing all black clothing including a black ski mask and also having purple shoes.
MPD said that preliminary information suggested this person was in a white 2016 Dodge Charger bearing the TN tag BPT-4410 that was taken during a carjacking at 2765 South Perkins Road.
Police asked members of the public to call CrimeStoppers at (901) 528 CASH if they had any information about crime scenes this suspect had reportedly been responsible for:
- 3834 East Shelby Drive (where one man was found dead)
- 3539 Pilot Drive (where there were reportedly no injuries)
- 3575 Commerce Circle (where a young man was reportedly bit by a dog and not shot. Two women are somehow involved. One is in non-critical condition, according to MPD. One is in critical condition, MPD said.)
A multi-jurisdiction manhunt comprised of local, state and federal agencies took part in finding the 20-year-old suspect, MPD said.
The Shelby County District Attorney General's Office said they are seeking to revoke all bonds posted for the suspect, releasing the following statement:
The shootings today are shocking and deplorable. Memphis Police Department has the alleged shooter in custody, where he belongs. We will seek to revoke all bonds posted for him tomorrow morning and will expedite all of his charges. We are determined to ensure that he remains in jail.
Regarding his previous charge, a Criminal Court Judge set the bond without our office's involvement. We believe that he should be held without bail, and are committed to expeditiously pursuing these cases.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.