Family says man shot, killed by Memphis police had history of mental illness

MEMPHIS, TN (WMC) - The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is investigating a deadly officer-involved shooting in Memphis.

According to Memphis police, the shooting happened Thursday night around 10 p.m. at James Road near Austin Peay Highway. Two Memphis police officers were dispatched to a complaint of a person in the street pointing a gun at drivers.

According to police, the man was still armed when they arrived at the scene. At some point, shots were fired.

“Several callers called MPD out of concern. MPD did show up on the scene a short time later they gauged on the individual, and the individual was ultimately shot," MPD Deputy Director Mike Ryall said.

The man, later identified by TBI as 42-year-old Andre Horton, was taken to Regional One Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Horton’s uncle said he lived with mental illness and leaves behind six children.

Horton’s uncle said he’s not upset at police and he wants people to take mental health more seriously. He said Andre had a difficult past but was moving toward a brighter future.

Memphis police said the officer who fired shots is relieved of duty pending the outcome of the investigation.

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