Memphis police hunt suspect over death of 10-year-old boy

Youngster found in critical condition and dies in hospital

Officials have not yet released the name of the victim (WMC5)

Police in Memphis have launched a hunt for the person who fatally shot a 10-year-old boy.

Officers were called to the Orange Mound neighbourhood in the south east of the city, after receiving reports of a shooting.

When they arrived at the scene, officers helped locate the victim, who was then transported to the city’s Le Bonheur Hospital in what was described as a critical condition.

"At 6.12pm officers responded to a Shooting at 757 Josephine Street.

"Officers located a shooting victim who was transported in critical condition,” the police department said on Twitter.

“The 10-year-old, male victim is still listed as critical at LeBonheur.

“Additional prelim info revealed that a male in a white Nissan Altima or Infiniti with a black front bumper is responsible for the shooting.”

Ten hours later, officers updated their Twitter feed.

“The child did not survive his injuries,” they wrote. “This is an ongoing homicide investigation.”

The incident on Sunday evening came on the eve of Martin Luther King Jr Day, a federal holiday established in memory of the civil rights leader, who was assassinated in Memphis on April 4 1968.

The child has not yet been identified.