Rallings addresses 'horrible news' of 213 total homicides'

With two early Friday morning fatal shootings, Memphis has tied its record for the most homicides in one year.

The record for the city's homicides was last set in 1993 with 213 slayings.

The deaths of man and a woman in two shootings Friday morning put Memphis at that grim milestone with just a few weeks left in the year.

Police responded to the first shooting just after 3 a.m. on Benford Street off Joubert Avenue. Jarvis Hinds, 59, was shot and killed.

An hour later, at 4 a.m., police were called to an apartment in the 3100 block of Monterray Square near Spottswood Avenue.

A 23-year-old woman was found shot to death in her apartment.

"This morning, I was awakened to the horrible news that we have reached 213 total homicides," said Memphis Police Director Michael Rallings in an emailed statement Friday. "This means that 213 Memphians have been taken away before they could reach their full potential in life. 213 Memphians will not be here to enjoy the holiday season with their loved ones."

Rallings blamed the violence on a combination of  increased gang activity,  access to guns and domestic-violence related incidents.

"It’s even more heartbreaking to know that almost 50% of these victims knew their assailants. These are family members, friends, neighbors, and known associates that were senselessly killed by someone that they loved or trusted," Rallings said.

He said 30 deaths are domestic-violence related., 72 involved gangs and 173 were committed with guns. ·

Memphis reaches a grim milestone with 200 homicides

Friday's shootings are four homicides that have occurred in the city in less than 24 hours.

Thursday afternoon, police said a man was shot and killed by his stepfather at a home in the 1400 block of Whitney in Frayser. The victim was identified as Montrail Williams, 33.

About four hours later, 79-year-old Jerry Gibson was found dead around 5 p.m. inside River Records in the 800 block of South Highland.

River Records says owner Jerry Gibson killed Thursday

No arrests have been made in any of the slayings as police continue to investigate.

Rallings had a message for suspects involved in the slayings.

"I have a message to those that choose to be on the other side of the law and terrorize the citizens of Memphis… We will not rest. We will not stop. We will find you and we will bring you to justice," he said.