Knoxville police say a man accidentally shot himself on the campus of Bearden High School on Saturday night, turning an ordinary evening at the West Knoxville school into an active crime scene. Detectives with the Knoxville Police Department responded to the campus and opened an investigation. Officials have not released the man’s name or described how seriously he was hurt.
According to WBIR, officers were called to Bearden High on May 16 and classified the shooting as accidental. The station reports that Knoxville detectives are working to determine how the firearm went off and whether anyone else played any role.
Investigation and School Response
Knoxville police detectives are leading the probe and, in incidents involving schools, typically lock down the scene, interview witnesses, and collect physical evidence. In similar school-related investigations, the department has described a coordinated approach with school administrators and community partners, according to the Knoxville Police Department. Authorities have not yet said whether any charges are on the table.
What Is Legal in Tennessee
Under Tennessee law, firearms generally are not allowed on school property, aside from narrow exceptions such as on-duty law-enforcement officers or certain school-approved activities. The rules are laid out in Tenn. Code §39-17-1309, a statute that often guides how prosecutors and school officials respond to guns on campus; the full text is available through Justia.
Safety and Context
Accidental gunfire in or near schools is exactly the kind of scenario safety advocates warn about when they talk about secure storage and careful handling. Federal data shows that many unintentional firearm deaths involve handguns and occur when a gun is mishandled. Groups such as Giffords highlight CDC research urging safe storage practices to help reduce firearm injuries among children and teens, as detailed in the CDC’s National Violent Death Reporting System analyses.
Detectives are continuing their inquiry, and anyone with information is urged to call the Knoxville Police non-emergency line or submit an anonymous tip to East Tennessee Valley Crime Stoppers at 865-215-7165 or by texting ETTips to 738477. If someone appears to be in immediate danger, authorities say to call 911.
