Executive Summary
- The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has issued a Blue Alert for 40-year-old Danell Maxwell.
- Maxwell is wanted for Attempted First Degree Murder of a Memphis Police Officer.
- The suspect is considered armed and dangerous; the shooting reportedly occurred during a traffic stop.
A statewide manhunt is currently underway in Tennessee following the shooting of a Memphis Police Department officer, prompting the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) to issue a “Blue Alert” for the suspect. Authorities have identified the individual as 40-year-old Danell Maxwell and have mobilized resources across the state to locate him.
According to a statement released on social media late on February 26, 2026, by the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation, Maxwell is wanted for Criminal Attempted First Degree Murder of a Memphis Police Officer. The TBI explicitly cautioned the public that Maxwell is considered armed and dangerous. Citizens have been advised not to approach the suspect but to contact law enforcement immediately if he is sighted.
While law enforcement officials have not yet released specific details regarding the condition of the injured officer, Memphis City Councilman JB Smiley, Jr. stated on the social media platform X that the shooting occurred during a traffic stop. Smiley condemned the violence, writing, “An attack on one officer is an attack on our entire community,” and called for the perpetrator to be held accountable.
The Memphis Police Department (MPD) and the TBI are requesting that anyone with information regarding Maxwell’s location call MPD at 901-528-2274 or the TBI at 1-800-TBI-FIND. It is important to note that all individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Public Safety Impact
The issuance of a Blue Alert signifies a high-priority situation where a law enforcement officer has been killed or seriously injured, and the suspect poses an imminent threat to the public. In this case, the designation of the suspect as “armed and dangerous” suggests an elevated risk profile, likely resulting in heightened police presence and aggressive tactical coordination across multiple jurisdictions in Tennessee until the apprehension is made.
