Murder Charge for Suspect Who Ran Down Memphis, Tennessee Officer

Smith was an 18-year veteran of the Memphis Police Department

A triple-shooting suspect was charged with first-degree murder Sunday in the death of a Memphis, Tennessee, police officer who was struck and killed, NBC News reported.

Justin Smith, 21, also faces three other charges of attempted first-degree murder, one charge of vehicular homicide, theft, reckless driving and evading arrest. 

Justin Smith is accused of striking and killing Officer Verdell Smith, 46, when he sped off in a stolen car from a bar where two people were shot. Police said he stopped at a fishing shop, as well, and shot one employee. 

Verdell Smith had been with the Memphis police for 18 years and left behind his fiancee, children and his father, according to the department.

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