MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Memphis Police said students and staff are safe after a bullet hit a school in southwest Memphis Wednesday.
MPD officers responded to a shots fired call at Freedom Preparatory Academy Westwood on Parkrose Ave. about 9:45 a.m. Jan. 3, 2024. They said shots had been fired in the area of the school, and they found a bullet hole in a school window.
Investigators said the school was placed on a brief ‘soft lockdown’ and no injuries were reported.
Freedom Preparatory released the following statement:
"While it is our goal and top priority to always provide a safe and secure learning environment for our students, overcoming the challenges related to crime and violence in the city of Memphis continues to be of concern for our entire school community.
This morning there was a random shooting in the Westwood neighborhood that took place near our FPA (Parkrose) campus. As a result of the gunfire, one of the classroom windows was struck by a stray bullet. While no students were injured, school administration immediately relocated students in the impacted classroom and neighboring classrooms to a safe place within the school building. The Memphis Police Department was notified and the school was placed on a soft lockdown until the area was secured. All outdoor activities were postponed as a result of this unfortunate situation. MPD investigated the incident, and all indications were that this was an isolated situation unrelated to our school. Our school social worker is currently working with students to discuss the incident and will be available in the upcoming days to support students, teachers, staff and our families. Again, please keep all those involved in your thoughts and prayers as we continue to navigate the daily challenges impacting our community."
Anyone with information can call CrimeStoppers at 901-528-CASH.