A 14-year-old male has been charged in the shooting that happened earlier this morning inside of the Phyllis Wheatley Center.
At just after 9:45 a.m. on Wednesday, June 28, 2023, Knoxville Police Department officers responded to the Phyllis Wheatley Center at 124 S. Cruze Street to investigate a reported shooting. Officers arrived on scene and located the 10-year-old male victim, who had been shot at least one time. The victim was transported to the UT Medical Center with life-threatening injuries. The victim was reported to be in stable condition, upon the latest update from UTMC.
Based on the investigation conducted so far, a gun that was inside of the suspect’s backpack accidentally discharged in the YWCA gym and the victim was struck at least one time. The shooting was not intentional or targeted.
Officers quickly responded to and secured the scene.
The suspect, a 14-year-old male, was detained by responding officers a few blocks away from the scene. The backpack was also recovered by responding officers. Officers located two handguns inside of the backpack.
Upon continued investigation, the suspect, who is not being identified due to his juvenile status, has been charged preliminarily with two counts of unlawful possession of a weapon and one count of reckless endangerment. Additional charges are possibly pending.
The suspect is in custody and the KPD Homicide Unit is continuing its investigation at this time.