An investigation is underway at Melrose High School following a report that a student called upon a classmate to bring firearms in preparation for a gang-related fight. According to Action News 5, the Memphis Police Department (MPD) became involved after a concerned parent alerted the school about a voicemail left on their son's phone. This parent, upon discovering the communication, reported to school officials out of caution.
A student at the school, a female, is alleged to have used voicemail to ask a male student to help in the fight against a rival gang, the Bloods. When confronted, the girl admitted to a school security guard that the voice in the voicemail was hers, as reported by FOX13 Memphis. The voicemail also implicated another student, whom the girl mentioned would handle the situation at school. This latter student was previously assaulted by gang members in a prior incident. The connection to gang activity is further complicated, as it's suggested the assault was a retort to a family member's involvement in a carjacking against the gang.
Police response to the school occurred yesterday, after the male student's father walked into Melrose High School and reported the disturbing voicemail, detailing the request for guns and the directive to enact violence against gang members who had allegedly attacked a friend of the female student days earlier. The complainant's notification spurred immediate action from MPD. Local Memphis reported that the two students in question were held in the school office, and the pertinent students' parents were promptly contacted following the incident.
The MPD has not released any further details regarding possible charges or the current status of the investigation. Schools remain sensitive environments, and authorities handle all threats or potential threats of violence with swiftness and gravity, as the safety and security of students and staff are paramount.
