Teen shot, killed during food truck festival at Tom Lee Park, MPD says (2025)

MEMPHIS, Tenn. - A teenager died after a shooting at Tom Lee Park during a busy festival Sunday evening.

Memphis Police said investigators believe another juvenile is responsible for the shooting and are asking the public to help catch him.

Investigators said the victim, who is believed to be 15 or 16 years old, was found dead just before 7 p.m., around the same time the Foodee Fest food truck festival was beginning to wrap up.

Investigators said it was difficult to get to the crime scene because of the large crowd in the park and the food trucks blocking parts of Riverside Drive.

“First and foremost, our thoughts go out to the victim and their family and everyone affected by this senseless act of violence,” Lt. Col Gary Badgett of the Memphis Police Department said. “Upon arrival, officers located a male victim who was pronounced deceased at the scene. The suspect is described as a Black male, possibly a juvenile, wearing black clothes and a ski mask.”

Investigators focused most of their efforts on an area near the park’s welcome center and restrooms.

One vendor described the moment the shots rang out and panicked crowds ran to escape the gunfire.

“I was working at my stand and I heard gunshots. Maybe four times. Then I saw people running up and down,” Ernest Sampah, who traveled from Georgia to attend the festival, said. “I tried to hide under my table. It was very scary.”

Badgett stressed that even with the shocking crime, Downtown Memphis should be considered safe.

Anyone with information is asked to call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH.

The morning after the shooting, Memphis Mayor Paul Young said in a statement that the shooting was "heartbreaking, infuriating, and absolutely unacceptable." His full statement is below:

"Sunday’s shooting at the Foodees Food and Culture Festival is heartbreaking, infuriating, and absolutely unacceptable. And it marks the end of a week filled with far too many acts of lawlessness and violence in our community – from the mass shooting at a Memphis Allies meeting to a child being shot while playing in their own front yard.

Enough is enough.

This latest act of violence took place at Tom Lee Park – one of our city’s crown jewels. Our riverfront is meant to be a place of joy, connection, and community. The reckless violence carried out during a community event shattered that purpose. My prayers are with the victim, the witnesses, and the families affected by this senseless act.

It is important to note that without advising MPD, event organizers elected not to have security in place for Sunday’s event. Thankfully, Memphis Police officers were staged just outside the event footprint and were able to respond within moments.

Let me be clear: we will pursue prosecution of this crime – and all violent crimes – to the fullest extent of the law.

Public spaces – especially our parks – should always feel welcoming, inviting, and safe. Taking steps to leave a life of violence should be met with peace and celebration. And playing in your yard should never be a dangerous endeavor.

We are not giving in to chaos. We are not standing down. We will continue doing all the hard work necessary to make Memphis stronger and safer. And that means if you create mayhem in Memphis, we will find you and we will push for quick prosecution. We will win the war against violence in Memphis. This is a promise."