Man found guilty after killing 2 during 2021 Humboldt basketball game

GIBSON COUNTY, Tenn. — A three-day trial leads to the conviction of a man who murdered two men and injured another at a Humboldt basketball game three years ago.

21-year-old, Jadon Hardiman, was convicted of two counts of second degree murder, attempted second degree murder, employing a firearm during the commission of a dangerous felony, carrying a weapon on school property with the intent to go armed and aggravated assault.

He is facing a maximum sentence of 76 years in prison.

“He came from Jackson to Humboldt armed. He went into the school armed. It just didn’t have to happen, and it did,” said Frederick Agee, 28th district attorney general.

The conviction comes after an incident on on November 30, 2021, when Hardiman was 18-years-old at the time. He fired three rounds in the concession stand lobby area at a basketball game, targeting Justin Pankey, a former Humboldt High School basketball player. Panky was struck and died within seconds, another victim was paralyzed and died three months later. The third victim recovered.

“He placed children, he placed students, he placed adults, faculty members in danger that night. He fired into a crowd of about 20-30 people that were in the concession area,” said Agee.

Jadon Hardiman took the stand at trial and admitted to the shootings. He also admitted to fleeing the scene and disposing of the murder weapon somewhere between Humboldt and Jackson.

“Our hearts go out to Mr. and Mrs. Pankey and Xavier Clifton’s family. We hope that we’ve given them some sense of justice. We hope and pray that they are able to move forward,” said Agee.

Hardiman will be sentenced April 7 and is facing a maximum of 76 years in state prison.

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