A high school football game in Choctaw, Oklahoma was marred by violence on Friday, August 25, as 16-year-old Cordae Carter lost his life. The incident occurred during the third quarter, causing immediate panic among attendees.
Following the event, a 15-year-old boy was arrested in the Spencer suburb of Oklahoma City, on the morning of August 30. This development was verified by Oklahoma County Sheriff Tommie Johnson III. Due to the age of the accused, his name hasn’t been released. Choctaw police are conducting a thorough inquiry into the shooting.
Separately, the actions of an off-duty police officer present at the game are under review. The officer, from Del City, was one of two policemen on site for security. Their role in the events and the decision to fire a weapon are being investigated.
Subsequent to the gunshots, two individuals were reported injured: a 15-year-old girl with a leg injury and a 42-year-old man critically wounded in the chest. It’s confirmed that the male’s injury came from the off-duty officer’s weapon. Both officers are temporarily on paid administrative leave as investigations continue.
The reasons behind the initial gunfire are being explored, with Chief Kelly Marshall of Choctaw police hinting at a prior disagreement between two males. Clarity on whether the 16-year-old or the 42-year-old was part of this disagreement remains to be established.
In the aftermath, a fundraising initiative led by Daniel Chapin from The Uvalde Foundation for Kids has been created. This campaign will financially assist the Carter family with the upcoming funeral and burial costs.
The victim’s mother, Janea Wright, said that her son was at the football game to watch his cousins and brother play.
