Man bags 76 years in prison for fatal shooting in school basket game

A United States court has sentenced a 21-year-old man, Jadon Hardiman, to 76 years in prison for killing two persons at a school event.

The incident occurred on November 30, 2021, during a high school basketball game between Humboldt and North Side schools.

Hardiman, who was 18 years old at the time, entered the gym’s concession area with a loaded handgun.

He pulled out a semi-automatic .40 caliber pistol and fired three shots at close range, prosecutors said.

His first shot hit 21-year-old Justin Pankey, a former Humboldt basketball player, who died almost immediately at the scene.

The second bullet struck Xavier Clifton, a former North Side student and basketball player, in the neck.

Clifton was left paralyzed from the neck down and later died in March 2022 from the injury complications.

A third man, who was also at the scene, was shot in the back of the head but survived.

The shooting triggered panic among spectators who rushed for safety into the gym, bathrooms, and nearby classrooms.

The court convicted Hardiman on several charges including second-degree murder, attempted murder, and aggravated assault.

He was also found guilty of unlawful possession and use of a firearm at a public event.

The Gibson County District Attorney, Frederick Agee, confirmed the sentencing in an official statement released on Monday.

He described the incident as senseless and said it brought unnecessary pain to many families and the community.

Security footage showed Hardiman targeting his victims before opening fire in the crowded concession stand area.

The shooting raised concerns over security at school events across Tennessee and the United States at large.

Parents, teachers, and school officials have continued to express worry about increasing gun violence in schools.

Many have called for stricter laws on firearms and better safety measures during school-related activities.

The tragic loss of two young lives continues to leave a lasting impact on the local community.

Residents of Humboldt and Jackson have described the event as one of the darkest in recent memory.

The sentence is seen by many as a warning to others who may resort to violence in public places.

Though justice has been served, the families of the victims say their pain may never fully go away.

Hardiman will spend the next 76 years behind bars, with no chance of early release granted by the court.

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