MEMPHIS, Tenn. — A 16-year-old boy is dead, and a 17-year-old boy is injured after a shooting behind the Douglas Community Center in North Memphis, according to MPD.
Officers responded to a shooting minutes before 4 p.m. on Tuesday, April 16, at 1616 Ash Street.
MPD said they found one of the boys behind the community center, and the other boy had run inside for help. MPD then took the two teens to Regional One Health, one of them in critical condition.
The 16-year-old teen was pronounced dead at Regional One, police said.
According to MPD, both boys were outside the community center when the shooting started. Douglass Community Center is near two schools: Douglass High School and Douglass K-8.
In an update on Wednesday morning, MPD said an altercation between the two teens led to the shooting, and the 17-year-old is in non-critical condition.
Althea Greene, Chair of the Memphis-Shelby County Schools Board of Education, sent out the following statement regarding the incident:
"The Memphis-Shelby County Schools Board of Education mourns the loss of the teenager who was involved in a shooting in the Douglass community this afternoon. We will closely monitor the Memphis Police Department’s investigation and assist if and when needed. The Board offers condolences to the family of the victim."
MSCS Superintendent Marie Feagins also released the following statement:
It is always unfortunate when we find ourselves grieving the loss of a child whose hopes and dreams are shattered too soon. Our crisis support team, including grief counselors, is available for our students and staff, and we have also heightened security measures. I am asking everyone to continue to wrap their arms around our schools as we navigate a better way forward for our kids and communities.
MPD said no charges have been filed at this time and the investigation is ongoing.