Teen Killed in Water Gun Fight During Senior Skip Day in Tennessee

A 16-year-old has been arrested after a 17-year-old was fatally shot during an unauthorized senior skip day event in Memphis.

Apr. 20, 2026 at 2:57am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a spent shell casing from a real firearm, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash against a pitch-black background, conceptually illustrating the gritty details of a tragic shooting incident.A tragic shooting during an unsupervised senior skip day event in Tennessee exposes the dangers of unregulated student gatherings.Memphis Today

A 17-year-old student was killed and a 16-year-old has been arrested after a water gun fight during an unauthorized senior skip day event in Memphis, Tennessee turned violent. The shooting occurred at Shelby Farms Park, where nearly 200 students from multiple high schools had gathered for the unsupervised event. Authorities say a real gun was fired during the water gun fight, leading to the teen's death. The 16-year-old suspect is facing multiple charges including first-degree murder.

Why it matters

This tragic incident highlights the risks and unintended consequences that can arise from unsupervised student gatherings, even when they start out as harmless traditions like senior skip day. It also raises concerns about the growing popularity of 'senior assassin' games involving toy weapons, which have led to dangerous situations in the past.

The details

According to authorities, the water gun fight was taking place at Shelby Farms Park on Tuesday when, at some point, a real gun was fired, fatally shooting 17-year-old Coriuan Bean, a junior at Millington Central High School. The 16-year-old suspect has been arrested and is facing charges including first-degree murder, criminal attempt first-degree murder, reckless endangerment, and more.

  • The shooting occurred on Tuesday during an unauthorized senior skip day event.
  • The 16-year-old suspect was arrested on Friday.

The players

Coriuan Bean

A 17-year-old junior at Millington Central High School who was fatally shot during the water gun fight.

16-year-old suspect

A teenager who has been arrested and charged with multiple offenses, including first-degree murder, in relation to the shooting.

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What they’re saying

“I could have a house full of kids and he would be the one to help me with bringing groceries in or taking the trash out. He kept us laughing the entire time he was around.”

— Family friend of Coriuan Bean

“It was a really big shock, and it was a really big impact on my school.”

— Student

“I'm more happy that he did get caught, because if he didn't have the weapon in the first place, nothing would've went down at all.”

— Jonathan Jeremie, Friend of Coriuan Bean

What’s next

As investigators work to determine whether the shooting was targeted or random, and what led up to it, some students say the tragedy is already changing how they view senior skip day. One student at Millington Central High School said the incident has made her think twice about participating in the unsupervised event in the future.

The takeaway

This tragic incident highlights the risks of unsupervised student gatherings, even long-standing traditions like senior skip day, and the growing concerns around 'senior assassin' games involving toy weapons. It underscores the need for schools and communities to carefully consider the safety and supervision of these types of events to prevent further tragedies.