An 18-year-old high school basketball player has been arrested after a gun allegedly in his possession accidentally fired, injuring a fellow student.
Kyron Henderson, a senior at Justin F. Kimball High School in Dallas, was arrested on March 9 after a gun, that he reportedly brought onto the basketball team’s bus, accidentally went off, striking a student trainer in the ankle.
The teenage trainer was discharged from the hospital with non-life-threatening injuries.
The incident occurred while the Kimball boy’s basketball team was in San Antonio, having traveled to compete in the Class 5A University Interscholastic League (UIL) tournament at the Alamodome on March 10. The team arrived on Wednesday to practice and have dinner before Thursday’s big game against Beaumont United.
When the team got on the bus after Wednesday’s practice to head to dinner, Henderson allegedly had a firearm in his bag. As the bus moved, the bag apparently shifted and caused the gun to fire, accidentally shooting the team’s student trainer in her lower left ankle.
The victim was sent to the hospital, where she underwent surgery. She was discharged and was able to make an appearance at the championship game on March 10.
Henderson was arrested on two felony gun charges.
The controversial outgoing Dallas ISD superintendent, Michael Hinojosa, said that while student bags are already scanned for drugs, the district will likely begin conducting weapons scans moving forward.
“It’ll cost some money, but it’s worth it – every penny we spend on it – to protect these kids,” Hinojosa explained. “I am saddened that one of our own students chose to take a firearm on a team bus. That is just unexplainable and inexcusable.”
In reference to the injured student, Hinojosa commented, “Only thing I can say to that family is we apologize. The irony is that she’s a student trainer who was volunteering her time on an outstanding basketball team to provide her service to this team and she gets injured.”
According to WFAA, Hinojosa traveled to San Antonio on the afternoon of March 10 to speak to school officials. Dallas ISD also arranged to have mental health professionals available for the students there.
“We will, to the full extent of our policies, we will execute discipline. I can not comment on the student. There are much bigger things he has to worry about, legal matters and criminal matters,” Hinojosa said.
Due to Dallas ISD’s expedient response, the UIL did not take any action regarding the matter, and the Kimball basketball team was allowed to compete in the tournament.
Hinojosa explained, “I have been in contact with the University Interscholastic League and talking to their leadership. They are appreciative that we moved quickly to deal with this matter internally, and they will allow Kimball to participate in the state semifinals. They agree with us that you shouldn’t punish the entire team for the actions of a few or an individual.”
Thursday night ended Kimball’s season with a loss to Beaumont United, 66-64. The March 10 game marked Kimball’s 13th time participating in the state tournament.
Henderson, who was immediately removed from Kimball’s basketball team, was also a member of the school’s football team. Last month, he signed with West Texas A&M as their wide receiver.
The teenager now faces up to 20 years in prison for an aggravated assault charge and up to 10 years for possession of a firearm on school grounds. He is being held at Bexar County Jail, with bail set at $40,000.
Authorities are still investigating why Henderson had a gun on the bus.