Memphis Police Reported 89% Homicide Clearance Rate
The city achieved the clearance rate following the arrests of two suspects in separate murder cases.
Updated on Oct. 5, 2026 in Law Enforcement
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The Memphis Police Department has reached an 89% homicide clearance rate after apprehending suspects connected to two recent fatal shootings. Police made the arrests following a response to a deadly shooting on Yosemite Court and the investigation into a September murder on Cannon Street.
Why it matters
High clearance rates are critical benchmarks for municipal law enforcement agencies measuring their effectiveness in resolving violent crimes. These successful investigations aim to provide closure for grieving families while removing dangerous offenders from the local streets.
The Memphis Police Department maintains an 89% homicide clearance rate. Officials are currently processing Darius Calvin, who is awaiting extradition to Shelby County, and Christopher Banks, who faces charges for the murder of Anquan Gilliam.
The players
Memphis Police Department
This is the primary law enforcement agency responsible for maintaining public safety and investigating criminal activities within the city of Memphis.
Darius Calvin
He is a suspect arrested for a shooting on Yosemite Court who is currently being held in Arkansas pending extradition to Shelby County.
Christopher Banks
He is a murder suspect who was apprehended by police while hiding in a vacant building on South Third Street.
Anquan Gilliam
He is the victim of a homicide that took place on Cannon Street in late September.
The details
Officers responded to the 4600 block of Yosemite Court at 1:30 a.m. on Sunday, where they discovered a male victim dead from a gunshot wound. Separately, police arrested Christopher Banks inside a vacant KFC building on South Third Street in connection with the September 21 murder of Anquan Gilliam on Cannon Street.
Timeline
September 21 marked the date of the murder of Anquan Gilliam.
October 4, 2026, was the date of the Sunday morning shooting and subsequent arrests.
Legal Context
This clearance rate places the Memphis Police Department well above the typical performance metrics documented by the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program for major American cities. Such high resolution rates reflect a broader trend of intensive investigative focus on closing cold or active cases.
The successful apprehension of these suspects may alleviate concerns regarding public safety in the vicinity of Cannon Street and Yosemite Court. Residents should continue to report suspicious activity to local authorities to support ongoing efforts to maintain security.
The takeaway
Maintaining a high homicide clearance rate requires sustained coordination between multiple jurisdictions and specialized investigation units. These outcomes illustrate the importance of rapid suspect apprehension in ensuring both justice and community stability.
Further reading
For more information on regional crime trends, visit Law Enforcement.
Source note: This article includes information reported by News Channel 3 WREG-TV Memphis.
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