Last Updated: Oct 5, 2026
Read Time: 3 mins
Two men were hospitalized in life-threatening condition after a shooting in the Frayser neighborhood of Memphis on Wednesday afternoon. Police say the suspects fled on foot, and no one has been detained. For people hurt in violent crimes, the police investigation is only one part of what comes next.
What Police Have Reported
Officers responded to the 2800 block of Elbert Drive around 5:32 p.m. on September 9 and found two men with gunshot wounds. Both were taken to the hospital. Investigators said two other men, one in a black jacket and one in a red jacket, were responsible.
Criminal Charges and Civil Claims
A criminal case is brought by the state to punish the person responsible. It does not pay a victim’s medical bills.
What a Civil Claim Can Recover
A civil claim works differently. It is filed by the injured person or their family, and it seeks compensation for losses such as:
- Hospital bills, surgery, and follow-up care
- Wages lost while healing
- Reduced earning capacity if injuries are permanent
- Pain, scarring, and emotional distress
Civil cases also use a lower standard of proof. A shooter who is never convicted can still be held liable.
Who May Be Held Responsible
The shooter is the obvious defendant. But people who commit violent crimes often have no insurance that will cover the harm, and many have few assets. That limits what a victim can realistically collect.
In Tennessee, property owners, landlords, and businesses can sometimes be held accountable when a crime on their premises was foreseeable and reasonable security was lacking. Prior incidents, broken gates, poor lighting, and ignored complaints can all factor in. Authorities have not said whether this shooting occurred on private property, so it’s too early to know if that applies here.
A Memphis, TN personal injury lawyer can review police reports, property records, and crime history to identify every party that may share responsibility.
State Compensation for Crime Victims
Tennessee also offers a fund of last resort for innocent victims of violent crime. It can reimburse medical costs and lost wages that insurance does not cover, and no arrest is required to apply. Claimants generally must report the crime within 15 days, cooperate with police, and file within two years.
Eligibility rules are posted by the Tennessee Criminal Injuries Compensation Fund.
Why Timing Matters
Evidence fades fast.
Surveillance footage is often recorded over within days, and witnesses become harder to find. Tennessee’s filing deadlines for injury lawsuits are also strict, and waiting for a criminal case to end can mean losing the right to sue.
Legal Help After a Violent Crime
The attorneys at Patterson Bray PLLC represent people across Tennessee who have been seriously injured because of someone else’s actions.
If you or a family member was hurt in a shooting, a Memphis personal injury attorney can explain your options while you focus on recovery. Reach out to our office to talk through what happened and what steps make sense next.
Patterson Bray
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