Panic ensues after Dresden football game Friday night
Story by Press Reporter Shannon Taylor
Panic ensued across social media last night and throughout the weekend after parents whose children attended Friday night’s football game between Dresden High School and McKenzie took to social media to express concerns about multiple incidents they claimed to have happened which have prompted local law enforcement and Weakley County Schools to investigate.
The post spread across social media stated, “Prayers for this little nine-year-old boy who got jumped by two 16-year-olds who broke his nose and his jaw. The boy was from McKenzie and the two boys who jumped him were from Dresden. They say the boy didn’t do anything and was found lying on the ground throwing up blood. Men were down by their cars asking questions and had a gun with them. They ran off in a van that said Free Candy and parents were letting their kids go and many kids went missing.”
This post, as well as multiple other posts, spread like wildfire across social media with different stories being told. The ages of the boys who attacked ranged from two 16-year-olds to one 15-year-old and the victim in question was stated to be either eight or nine years old. The Press has received no clarification on either.
Director of Weakley County Schools Randy Frazier released a statement that has sparked some controversy among Weakley County Residents. Frazier stated, “Two dynamic teams faced each other in a Friday night game, and the passion of the fans may have led to too much excitement. We’d like to thank the Sheriff’s Department for making additional personnel available so that students, faculty, and staff will be ready to work and learn on Monday morning,”
Many people that the Press spoke with said that they thought that Frazier was stating that excitement for the game may have led to an increase in violence. The Press reached out to Frazier for clarification and Frazier had this to say, “I appreciate the interest and the concern. It was an exciting game during which incidents were reported, rumors have circulated, and some inaccurate information has been reported. With the safety of our schools a priority, the Sheriff’s Department offered additional support on Monday out of an abundance of care for our students, faculty, and staff. We are grateful for the support of the Sheriff’s Department.”
Dresden resident and mayoral candidate Mike Vernon said that “As a prior police officer, if a department decides to add more officers at school there is a reason for it. The reason would exceed “excitement from a game” for those officers to be there. The words “excitement from a game” is a horrible cop out.”
Parents were concerned that the game was so packed there were cars all down Highway 22 and that no officers were seen directing traffic and many wondered how many officers were present at a game so packed.
Dresden High School principal Scott Killebrew said around 3,200 people attended the game.
Dresden City Police Lt. Bryan Chandler said five to seven officers from both Dresden City Police and WCSD were present at any given time during the game, including deputies, officers and a uniformed constable and, “it was the largest crowd for a game I’ve seen in my time here.”
One parent, Dawn Dyer, whose child attended the game said that the Facebook post is completely accurate. “Two 16-year-olds jumped an eight-year-old and there was a van there handing out candy. My son was there and I’m just thankful he came home safe.”
Dyer further stated that her son and his friends helped the boy. “One went and got security and the other went to get an adult.”
Another resident, Kylee Dyer, whose brother attended the game said her brother saw the nine-year-old kid with blood going from his face down to his stomach and he went to get help, but when the adults arrived, the two 16-year-olds were gone.”
Dyer said from what she understands there was no motive for the attack.
The Press reached out to the mother of the child who was attacked and is awaiting a response from her.
Sheriff Terry McDade spoke with the Press and stated that the kid had a busted lip, but nothing like what people are claiming and that “nobody knows anything about anyone else being hurt.”
McDade said they would have several officers present at both schools in Dresden on Monday Oct. 3 for “extra security” as investigations continue between law enforcement and Weakley County Schools. McDade said he hasn’t been able to find any truth to the posts circulating around Facebook.
On Sunday some Dresden students received a snapchat warning of a possible school shooting. The snapchat said “Don’t go to school on Monday!! Someone is saying they are going to shoot it up. This is not a joke. I am not lying. Whoever goes to Dresden.”
The Press spoke with a source at the WCSD Sunday evening who said that the Sheriff’s Department was aware of the situation and the person who made the threat was a transfer student from Memphis and they were planning on pulling the student aside before school on Monday.
However, Frazier stated on the radio that the situation may have stemmed from a candy dispute between two students and that social media posts may have been fabricated.
Chief Christopher Crocker of Dresden City Police said that they haven’t heard of anyone actually threatening to shoot up the school, just the snap discussing it due to attention it’s gaining and that there would be multiple officers at each location as a precaution.
Monday morning, multiple residents stated that there were three officers present at the Dresden Elementary and Middle School outside and three outside Dresden High School.
No further updates have been made available at this time. The Press is working diligently with multiple sources to investigate the varying statements being put out by officials. This is a developing story.
