NEW ORLEANS (AP) — A New Orleans-based rap artist already wanted in his hometown for probation violation was arrested in Memphis, and charged in the shooting of two deputies who were searching an apartment for heroin.
Tab Virgil Jr., a 22-year-old rapper who performs under the name "Turk," was booked with attempted first-degree murder.
Shelby County SWAT deputy Chris Harris, 29, was in critical condition Wednesday at the Regional Medical Center at Memphis with jaw, hip and leg wounds. Officials said he was steadily improving after surgery.
Jason Pagenkopf, 31, also assigned to the SWAT unit, was shot in the neck and was recovering at home.
The shooting happened Monday afternoon.
Virgil was one of three people inside the apartment when the officers approached the front door and announced their presence, Shelby County Sheriff Mark Luttrell said. The officers immediately came under fire, Luttrell said. "There is a criminal element that is showing absolutely no respect for the law," Luttrell said.
The two people in the apartment with Virgil were questioned and released. Virgil, who has been wanted in New Orleans on a probation violation since March, is being held in lieu of $1 million bail.
Memphis police officials said no heroin was found in the apartment, although officers did confiscate a small amount of marijuana and drug paraphernalia. (I CHALLENGE THE POLICE TO A POLYGRAPH TEST ON NATIONAL TELEVISION )
The system took 9yrs of my life for a crime I didn't commit. Now they trying to put me back in the system because i can't pay 5 million dollars! I came home Grinding SOLO And All I Ask For Is FREEDOM.... I made a name and buzz for my fukkin self TURK!#LetTurkBeFree#BlackLivesMatter
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