Controversy erupts after coach brings gun to basketball game
Local leaders silent as citizens demand accountability
By DON WILBURN
donaldfwilburn@gmail.com
West Memphis — A Forrest City Junior High basketball coach, Kobe Wilson, is facing scrutiny after being found with a handgun during a game at a West Memphis junior high on December 5, 2024. The incident occurred during a freshman basketball game between Wonder Junior High and Forrest City Junior High, prompting an investigation and raising questions about the legality of his actions.
According to an incident report _led by West Memphis Police Of_cer T. Jackson on December 13, eight days after the event, tensions ared during the game when a verbal altercation between two players escalated into shoving on the court. The situation intensi_ed as a student from the stands ran onto the court to support a Wonder Junior High player. School administrators quickly intervened to de-escalate the conict, and the student was sent back to the stands.
As Of_cer Jackson approached the student to escort him off the premises, he noticed the handle of a handgun protruding from a bag being handled by Coach Kobe Wilson of Forrest City Junior High. Wilson was seen removing his hand from the bag, but the _rearm remained inside. Of_cer Jackson acted promptly, requesting Wilson to step outside the gym. After explaining the potential safety risks and observing Wilson’s cooperation, the of_cer contacted his supervisor.
Although no immediate charges were _led, school administrators, including Principal Dr. Quarrels, instructed Wilson to leave the property. To ensure safety, the game was canceled, and Forrest City players were escorted out by of_cers. Video footage from the game shows two School Resource Of_cers (SROs) escorting two
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Security camera footage from West Jr. High shows the altercation between players that led to the Forrest City coach being escorted out by police and the cancellation of the game. The person being held by a police officer is not the coach, but a student who rushed to join the altercation.
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Forrest City coaches, including Wilson, out of the gym. Wilson was seen carrying a backpack, which police con_rmed contained the _rearm.
Arkansas law explicitly prohibits _rearms on school property under Statute 5-73119, which classi_es such possession as a Class D felony. The law applies to all public and private schools serving grades K-12, and there are no known exemptions that apply to Wilson’s case.
The situation has drawn additional attention due to Wilson’s role as a public-school coach and teacher. According to the Forrest City School District, Wilson is employed at Central Elementary School. However, records from the Arkansas Department of Education reveal that Wilson does not hold a teaching license or a waiver to teach without one, raising further concerns about his quali_cations and oversight.
The incident has sparked a debate, particularly on social media, where opinions on Wilson’s actions are divided. One commenter defended Wilson, stating, “Why are you trying to have someone charged with a felony for simply possessing a _rearm with no intent to cause harm to anyone? If I coached high school basketball and my team was playing in West Memphis, I would probably arm myself for protection as well.”
The controversy is further compounded by Wilson’s familial connection to 1st Judicial Circuit Judge Dion Wilson, his father, who presides over cases in multiple Arkansas counties; Cross, Lee, Monroe, Phillips, Woodruff Counties and St. Francis, where Forrest City is located.
Attempts to reach West Memphis Police Chief and city of_cials for comment were successful, however all contacted parties claimed no knowledge of the incident.
The incident has raised broader concerns about safety at school sporting events, the responsibilities of educators, and the enforcement of state _rearm laws. No charges have been _led against Wilson at this time, but the matter remains under review. Local authorities and the Arkansas Department of Education have not yet commented on potential disciplinary actions or legal proceedings.
As the investigation unfolds, the debate surrounding Wilson’s actions and the policies governing _rearms on school property is likely to intensify, drawing attention to broader issues of school safety and accountability.
