Tennessee troopers to aid Memphis interstate shooting patrol

July 18, 2019 at 6:38 p.m. | Updated July 18, 2019 at 6:38 p.m.

by Associated Press

This March 1, 2018, file photo shows a display of various models of semi-automatic rifles at a store in Pennsylvania. Research published Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018 in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows active shooters with semi-automatic rifles wound and kill twice as many people as those using non-automatic weapons. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)
This March 1, 2018, file photo shows a display of various models of semi-automatic rifles at a store in Pennsylvania. Research published Tuesday, Sept. 11, 2018 in the Journal of the American Medical Association shows active shooters with semi-automatic rifles wound and kill twice as many people as those using non-automatic weapons. (AP Photo/Keith Srakocic)

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (AP) - The Tennessee Highway Patrol is sending 30 troopers to the Memphis area to help combat an increase in interstate highway shootings.

The highway patrol held a news conference Wednesday announcing details of Operation Grizzly Bear.

The Commercial Appeal reports the additional troopers will join Memphis Police Department officers and Shelby County Sheriff's Office deputies in patrolling Memphis' highways, which include Interstate 40 and Interstate 240.

Tennessee Highway Patrol Capt. Jimmy Johnson says the current phase of the operation is taking place over a six-week period.

Memphis police say 32 interstate shootings have occurred this year. Police say most of the cases are caused by road rage.

Memphis Mayor Jim Strickland said officials will push legislators for harsher penalties for those who commit road rage shootings.

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