MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Police said three children were hurt, one of them critically, in a shooting Thursday afternoon at the Whitehaven branch library on Millbranch.
Fire department officials said two boys, age 11, had been taken to Le Bonheur with gunshot wounds around 3:30.
Police later confirmed that there were three victims. Two of them are stable, police said at 4:30.
Police said the shooting happened during a fight at a nearby middle school. A girl told police she was jumped by a group of girls.
They said a suspect was known but not in custody.
A mom didn’t want her son to be identified, but she allowed him to tell us what happened.
The 12-year-old said he was with some other middle school students when someone started shooting at them.
“I start running I’m at the back of the crowd and the kids who got shot. I’m directly behind him,” he said.
Witnesses told police a man was seen firing shots out of a car.
Community activist Stevie Moore came to help and said he’s frustrated the community is not more outraged about the senseless violence.
“We are losing children, but we are like nothing is happening,” Moore said.
County Commissioner Reginald Milton was also there and said local leaders need to do more.
“I’m seeing family members every time, time after time coming here and demanding answers and people like me, elected officials, we better darn well find some answers,” he said.
Police said the parents of the victims have been notified. They also said students at nearby Robert Church Elementary were placed on a brief lockdown and are now being dismissed as usual.
This investigation is ongoing. If you know any information about this shooting, call Crime Stoppers at (901)-528-CASH.
