Man who carried assault rifle through Tennessee neighborhood claimed it was for his safety: reports

A man carrying an assault-style rifle while walking in his Memphis neighborhood had locals expressing concern for the community’s safety.

He told authorities his reasoning for his bizarre actions was just because “Memphis is a dangerous place,” according to news reports.

A picture of the man carrying the rifle while walking around the neighborhood made its way through social media earlier this week, where he was first spotted in the area of Peabody Avenue and Cooper Street.

The incident occurred Monday, and left neighbors in a panic. While Action 5 News reported that Idlewild Elementary School didn’t lockdown, but had extra safety and security officers on campus, WREG reported Wednesday that the incident did lead to a lockdown of a nearby preschool and elementary.

Memphis police also received multiple reports about the man.

“I just keep picturing him sitting outside my daughters’ schools and shooting at them,” one person posted on Facebook above a photo that circulated on social media.

When police responded to the area, they were unable to locate the man. But Tuesday night, after multiple failed searches, they located him not far from where he was first spotted and were able to speak to him, Action 5 News reported.

The man was identified as Derek Winn, thanks to an address and phone number on file with the Shelby County Election Commission from his campaign for Memphis mayor this year, WREG said.

When police spoke with him, he said he was walking down the street with the rifle “because he was scared.” He also added that “Memphis is a dangerous place” and was carrying the weapon for protection, with no intention of harming anyone.

Authorities then checked Winn’s criminal background, which came back clean and there were no signs of mental illness. Officials were also allowed to inspect and take pictures of the weapon.

Police returned the rifle and allowed Winn to leave with the weapon, claiming he didn’t break any laws.

On Wednesday, Winn sent a text to WREG taking responsibility for his actions but claimed that he was being followed by people stalking his route to work.

“I overreacted and open carried on my way to/from work and ppl freaked out and tbh I don’t blame them,” he wrote, continuing, “Not going to happen again.”

In most cases, it is legal in Tennessee to open carry a weapon, WREG said.