MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Two men who dodged bullets to help a family of five who were shot on a Memphis interstate Tuesday are telling their story to WREG.

“That incident yesterday actually should let Memphis know, Memphis still got hope. Like there is still some good in Memphis,” Marcus Ross said.

Previous Story: 4 kids, 1 adult shot on I-240; 2 detained after chase with shots fired

It was a chaotic scene Tuesday afternoon on Interstate 240 at Poplar, as a gunman opened fire on a car, riddling it with bullets and sending four young children and a 30-year-old father to hospitals in critical condition.

Despite the tragedy, two brothers, Diamond Harper and Marcus Ross, are being praised as heroes for their quick action getting the victims to a nearby hospital.

“Next thing you know we just start hearing gunshots, I’m talking about back to back to back, so first thing we do is tell the kids to get down in the car,” Ross said.

Ross said they sprang into action after a man got out of a car in front of them.

‘Heartbreaking,’ family member of interstate shooting victims says

“He was like, ‘My son got shot.’ His son had fell on the ground and that’s when my brother Diamond had picked up the little boy,” Ross said.

Harper said the man didn’t understand what was going on at first.

“And then he realized, he was helping, he was like, ‘My kids, just help me get my kids,’” Harper said.

They then drove the family to a hospital.

“Grabbed the kids out the car, rushed to the hospital,” Ross said. “I’m screaming, ‘Kids and dad got shot! … Somebody move!’”

Both men say while they were helping the family, they couldn’t help think of their own children.

I just, I don’t know it was like a shock, but man we got to get it done,” Harper said.

Ross and Harper both say that, while they are being praised as Good Samaritans, it was a team effort.

“With this situation alone, even though it was a bad incident, good still saved the day, giving people hope,” they said. “Memphis came together yesterday, like it didn’t matter what color, no race, whatever.”

Court records say the father was trying to merge onto the i-240 from Mount Moriah but couldn’t because a gray SUV refused to allow him. Once the victim finally merged, police say the suspect started driving erratically towards the victim’s vehicle.

The suspects allegedly made their way to the passenger side of the victim’s vehicle and someone inside opened fire.

The four children hurt in the shooting — ages 2, 8, and two twins who are 3 — are being treated at Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital. One of the children was shot five times. At last check, police say they were in critical condition.

Doctor calls increase in children treated for gunshots an ‘alarming trend’

Two suspects, Kendrick Ray, 21, and Lorenzo Watson, 18, were captured and arrested after police found them at Wolfchase Galleria and chased them into Raleigh, where they crashed their vehicle and allegedly fired at officers as they tried to escape on foot.

Both are facing numerous charges, including six counts of attempted first-degree murder.

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