Incident Overview
A shooting occurred outside Central High School in Memphis, Tennessee, leaving a male student injured. The incident took place approximately 30 minutes after school dismissal on a Monday afternoon. Memphis Police Department responded swiftly to reports of gunfire in the school’s parking lot, where they found the wounded student.
Eyewitness Accounts
Leah Allen, a junior at Central High School, was inside the building attending a tutoring session when the shooting happened. “It was supposed to be a normal Monday afternoon,” Allen said. She recalled hearing an announcement over the intercom instructing all students to stay in their classrooms and for teachers to close their doors. “I heard SROs [School Resource Officers] outside,” she added, indicating the immediate response from school security personnel.
Feeling shaken, Allen contacted her grandmother, Verlin Horton, to inform her about the situation. “I told her that I was scared,” Allen recounted. Horton advised her granddaughter to stay calm and remain inside the classroom until authorities provided further instructions. “Just calm down since you were in tutoring,” Horton told her. She could hear the voices of other students and teachers in the background, all trying to maintain a sense of calm amid the chaos.
Police Response
Upon arriving at the scene, officers found the injured student in the parking lot. Memphis Police Department officers began an immediate search for the suspect, who was reportedly known to the victim. The suspect was located in the area of Vinton Avenue and Bellevue Boulevard and was taken into custody without incident.
Police believe the shooting was a targeted attack, as the suspect and victim are known to each other. As of now, no charges have been filed, and the investigation is ongoing. Authorities are working to piece together the events leading up to the shooting and are encouraging anyone with information to come forward.
School’s Reaction
The shooting has left students, parents, and faculty at Central High School feeling unsettled. Schools are traditionally seen as safe havens for students, but this incident has challenged that perception. The school’s administration acted quickly by initiating lockdown procedures to ensure the safety of those inside the building.
Teachers tried to maintain a sense of normalcy, reassuring students and continuing with their activities as best as they could. “I could hear the students and teachers in the background calming down,” Horton said, emphasizing the efforts made by the staff to keep students calm.
Parental Concerns
Parents expressed their worries following the incident. Horton’s immediate reaction was concern for her granddaughter’s safety. “She wouldn’t let me get off the phone,” Horton said, highlighting the anxiety felt by both students and their families. Many parents are now questioning the security measures in place at the school and are seeking assurances that their children will be safe.
Ongoing Investigation
The Memphis Police Department is actively investigating the incident. They are looking into the relationship between the suspect and the victim to determine the motive behind the shooting. Police have not released the names of those involved, and the condition of the injured student has not been disclosed.
Authorities have not yet filed charges against the suspect. “As of now, no charges were filed, and this is an ongoing investigation,” police stated. They are urging the community to remain vigilant and report any suspicious activities.
Community Response
The local community is grappling with the reality of gun violence affecting their schools. The incident has sparked conversations about student safety and the measures needed to prevent such occurrences in the future. Community leaders and school board members are expected to meet to discuss additional security protocols.
Conclusion
The shooting outside Central High School has left the Memphis community searching for answers. As police continue their investigation, students and parents are calling for increased safety measures to ensure that schools remain secure environments for education. The incident serves as a stark reminder of the challenges schools face in protecting students from targeted acts of violence.
