Memphis Police Officer Critically Wounded in Shooting

MEMPHIS, Tennessee -- A Memphis police officer was critically wounded after a suspect opened fire over the weekend.

Authorities say that 34-year-old Giorgio Minnis was responsible for a call they received at approximately 1:45 p.m. on Saturday about a stolen car in the Hickory Hill neighborhood when the shooting occurred, according to WATN-TV.

Police said that Minnis, the nephew of the car's owner, was reportedly armed and took the stolen vehicle from the 4000 block of Navajo Avenue to the 5900 block of Hickory Hill Square. It was then that Minnis fired a first shot while making threats to do harm to those inside another family member's residence. Authorities said he also held a male juvenile relative against his will at the residence.

When officers arrived on the scene, Minnis reached for a handgun from his waistband and shot one of the officers. Police were then able to disarm Minnis without firing a shot. An officer on the scene applied a tourniquet to the injured officer's wound until paramedics arrived. The wounded injured officer was taken to Regional One Hospital in critical condition. The officer was expected to recover and by Sunday was at home recuperating. 

Minnis was ultimately charged with criminal attempt felony to first degree murder, aggravated kidnapping, aggravated assault, reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon, convicted felon in possession of a handgun, possession of a firearm during a dangerous felony and theft of property $10,000 to $60,000. He appeared in court for the first time Monday and had his bond set to $1 million.