MPD officers kill suspected animal hoarder

MEMPHIS, TN - (WMC-TV) – A suspected animal hoarder has been shot and killed by Memphis Police in Cordova. Now we know what officers found inside that home.

The deadly police-involved shooting happened during the execution of a search warrant in the 1000 block of Cameron Ridge Trail in Cordova.

Plenty of police remain on the scene along with Memphis Animal Services and the Humane Society.

Officers were trying to serve an animal cruelty-related search warrant when the homeowner was shot and killed.

Blue lights and blocked streets greeted people attempting to return home from work Friday night.

More shocking is what police say they found inside the home of a suspected animal hoarder on Cameron Ridge Trail.

"Inside the house we did find a lot of cats, dogs," said MPD Sgt. Karen Rudolph.

"I've been told there were raccoons, possums, chickens," she continued.

A Memphis Police TACT unit forced entry into the home while attempting to serve an animal cruelty warrant on behalf of Memphis Animal Services.

"And the homeowner was armed with a gun, pointed it at one of the TACT officers, and TACT officers shot the suspect," said Rudolph.

The suspect, said to be a man in his mid to late 60's, was pronounced dead on the scene.

Neighbors say they didn't know him well, but knew he had animals from the sights and smells.

Police say the suspected animal hoarder told neighbors he'd go down fighting in order to protect his collection of pets.

Police haven't confirmed the name of the suspect who was shot and killed.

The officer who shot him is on paid leave, which is protocol.

We're still waiting on the exact number of animals found inside.

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