Police: Three kids injured in shooting outside Whitehaven Library
Three boys were shot in Whitehaven Thursday afternoon, according to the Memphis Police Department.
The shooting “stemmed from” a fight among peers “at a nearby middle school” and happened outside the Whitehaven Library at 4120 Millbranch Road, the department said.
The department did not name the middle school, but said the children’s families have been notified. The department did not provide any additional identifying information.
A. Maceo Walker Middle School is around the corner from the library on Raines Road. When asked, neither law enforcement nor school district officials would confirm the name of the middle school.
One child is in critical condition and two are in noncritical condition, said Maj. Karen Rudolph, spokesperson for MPD.
A later update from the department said the kids were taken to “area hospitals,” rather than just to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital as the department initially described.
Robert R. Church Elementary School is next door to the library, and students there were placed on lockdown in the afternoon, the department said. Students were slowly being released from the school around 4:45 p.m.
A known suspect in the shooting fled the scene, MPD said. No arrests have been made.
Memphis-shelby County Schools did not respond to all inquiries. It is unclear if the district dispatched any school officers to the scene or was aware of any fights at area schools during the school day.
“We also recognize that reducing crime in our city and among youth takes a collective and collaborative effort that involves the community, parents, law enforcement and other key stakeholders,” the district said in a statement. “Our thoughts are with the impacted families.”
The district’s statement is in full below:
We are aware of an incident in the community of Robert R. Church Elementary. Out of abundance of caution, the school was placed on a precautionary lockdown while police responded. The matter is under investigation.
All MSCS schools have an emergency response plan. Robert R. Church Elementary implemented its plan immediately and directly notified parents regarding dismissal procedures.
Safety remains our top priority at MSCS, and we will continue to follow District safety protocols and cooperate with our partners in law enforcement.
We also recognize that reducing crime in our city and among youth takes a collective and collaborative effort that involves the community, parents, law enforcement and other key stakeholders.
Our thoughts are with the impacted families.
CA reporter Gina Butkovich contributed to this report.
Laura Testino covers education and children’s issues for the Commercial Appeal. Reach her at laura.testino@commercialappeal.com or 901-512-3763. Find her on Twitter: @Ldtestino