Student killed after water gun fight escalates to shooting at Memphis park

A 17-year-old student was killed after a water gun fight escalated to gunfire during an unauthorized senior skip day gathering at a park in Memphis, according to officials. No arrests have been made.

The shooting happened at about 12:15 p.m. Tuesday at the playground area of Shelby Farms Park in Memphis, according to Shelby County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Anthony Buckner. Deputies responding to a shots-fired call found a 17-year-old boy with a gunshot wound.

The teen was taken to a hospital by the Memphis Fire Department, where he was pronounced deceased upon arrival. Buckner said investigators later learned the victim was a junior at Millington High School, a school north of Memphis.

Buckner said there had been an unsanctioned and unauthorized senior skip day event at the park, with about 200 students from several schools gathered there. Neither the park nor the sheriff’s office had prior information about the gathering.

Witnesses told investigators there had been some kind of disturbance or water gun fight before the shooting. “We believe that that escalated beyond a water gun fight to a real gun,” Buckner said.

Authorities said they were still trying to determine the connection between the victim and the shooter. No one is in custody, and investigators have not said whether a single gun or multiple weapons were involved, though Buckner said deputies found some shell casings and live rounds at the scene.

Buckner said some young people at the park tried to help the victim before deputies arrived. Park rangers, deputies and others performed first aid and other life-saving measures, but were unable to save him.

“No adults were present, no person could have intervened to stop this incident from occurring, so we are asking for all of this trend of senior skip day to stop,” Buckner said. “Go to school and find a healthy way to celebrate your last year of school.”

Addressing the shooter directly, Buckner said: “It’s only a matter of time before we learn who you are. It’s only a matter of time before we knock on your door. It would be smart of you to turn yourself in.”