Memphis, TN — The Memphis Police Department (MPD) blocked a possible terrorist threat in the early morning hours of July 16th.
The department arrested a man accused of threatening his own life and the lives of those attending a packed event at FedExForum Friday night.
Memphis rapper Yo Gotti hosted his annual Birthday Bash event at the venue that same night.
According to police, officers responded shortly after 2:45 a.m. to the 200 block of South Main Street. for an armed mental consumer.
When officers arrived at the scene, they encountered the suspect, Elijah Hyman, and his girlfriend.
“It could have been really scary. Thank God for the police,” said a Memphis tourist in the city the night of the concert. “It may have saved a life, probably several lives.”
Memphis police said Hyman appeared distraught because he and his girlfriend broke up.
Officers were told that because Hyman and his girlfriend’s relationship was ending, he wanted to kill himself and everyone he saw coming from an event being held at the FedExForum.
“It would have been a tragic event if it had happened,” said Nikki McIntosh, a Memphis resident who told FOX13 she was the former director of a home unit at the YMCA. “I think it’s deeper than ‘this is a broad threat’, ‘this may or may not happen’. ‘You can never take anything lightly.’
According to a statement, Hyman was also bleeding from his right hand from being cut from a glass window inside his apartment.
MPD said Hyman had several weapons inside his apartment and was arrested and taken for medical treatment and evaluation.
Hyman was charged with the Terrorism Act Commission.
FOX13 attempted to contact Hyman’s relatives at a local home based on records, but no one appeared to be home at the time.
Rapper Yo Gotti made this comment on his Twitter:
I would also like to thank the Memphis Police Department for their quick and proactive action to ensure that all attendees returned home safely.
— Yo Gotti (@YoGotti) July 17, 2022
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