3 minors, 1 adult charged in Cordova High School jamboree shooting

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - An after-school football jamboree turned south Thursday night at Cordova High School after gunshots sent panic through the stands.

Memphis police responded to the shots fired call at 8:20 p.m., just as the game between Ridgeway High and Sheffield High was underway.

Memphis-Shelby County Schools (MSCS) an individual fired shots in the air from the stadium parking lot.

Video submitted to Action News 5 shows the moment the shots were fired:

MPD says two vehicles drove from the scene and police recovered two shell casings. Officers found one of the vehicles at a nearby gas station and arrested one adult and three juveniles on weapon charges.

Cameron Kimbrough, 19, was given a misdemeanor citation for unlawful possession of a firearm and contributing to the delinquency of a minor.

The three minors were charged with:

1. unlawful possession of a firearm and theft of property under $1,000
2. financial responsibility, violation of vehicle registration, reckless driving and unlawful possession of a firearm
3. unlawful possession of a firearm

They were taken to a juvenile detention center.

No one was injured, and no property was struck, police say, but it left students, families and fans in fear for their lives.

One of our colleagues at Action News 5 was at Cordova High School when it all happened. It was a terrifying moment for the fans, students and families who just wanted to come enjoy a football game.

“Kids from all parts of the field, from the crowd perspective of the field, came rushing over to where we were sitting and that’s where the commotion really started,” the witness said.

Several questions went through their mind.

“Where are these gunshots coming from? Where is my daughter? And how do I get out of here safely?” said the witness.

It left students, families, and fans running in panic.

“I wasn’t necessarily worried that we were in immediate danger, I was more so worried that the danger was going to come from the aftermath of the gunshots,” the witness said.

A spokesperson with MSCS says the minors were not students of Cordova High School. Chief of Safety and Security Carolyn Jackson says school resource officers were patrolling the parking lot where the gunfire rang out.

The district also said about 25 Shelby County Sheriff deputies were present at the jamboree.

“We are staffing our games based on the participation at the games, also on the logistics of the facility and the size of the facility,” said Jackson.

She says everyone’s safety at games is their top priority. MSCS says all games have metal detectors and a clear-bag policy. All attendees, including MSCS staff, students, and athletes, are to be screened through walk-through metal detectors or with wands.

Weapons are also prohibited from being on school campuses at all times.

“Our teams, we’ve been training all year long getting ready for this school year,” said Jackson. “We want it to be a pleasurable and entertaining type of event that everyone can attend with safety being first and priority for everyone in attendance.”

Jackson says the safety protocols in place this year are the same ones that were in place last year. You can find out more about MSCS’ safety and security policies here.

Six different games were scheduled to take place Thursday night at the Cordova Stadium between 12 different schools.

Across the way at the Whitehaven Stadium, a fight broke out between Hillcrest and Westwood High School football players.

No incidents were reported at the Kirby Stadium, where six other games took place.

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