Tennessee teen to be charged with attempted murder for allegedly shooting classmate

A 13-year-old boy was charged with attempted murder Friday after police say he tried to shoot his classmate inside a Memphis, Tenn., school Thursday.

The suspect, a student at Cummings K-8 Optional School, reportedly shot his classmate, another 13-year-old boy, prompting an immediate campus shutdown, according to NBC.

The suspect fled the scene in a car driven by another individual but turned himself in later that evening, NBC affiliate WMC of Memphis reported. 

NBC noted that the victim is expected to make a “full recovery,” according to Shelby County Schools Superintendent Joris Ray. 

The boy was formally charged with criminal attempt first-degree murder, a Memphis Police Department spokesperson told the news outlet. 

Deputy Police Chief Don Crowe said investigators were looking into how the boy got a gun, according to The Associated Press.

“It’s a question we all want the answer to,” he said. “I’m not sure we’ll ever find the full truth. But certainly, it begs everyone to keep their guns secured so that 13-year-olds cannot get … hands on these guns.”

Crowe added that Memphis officers responded within two minutes of being alerted to the 9 a.m. shooting. Nearly 100 officers went to the school’s campus. 

NBC noted that the school reopened Friday, and that mental health resources were provided to students by the district.

“We pray for better days and I’m so grateful to know that the student is expected to make a full recovery,” Ray said.

The school reportedly started using metal detectors Thursday morning, according to Memphis newspaper The Commercial Appeal.