A University of Memphis football player was taken into custody on Tuesday after a routine traffic stop revealed a loaded handgun in his backpack.
Officers observed two vehicles traveling at a high rate of speed and pulled one over near Goodlett and Douglass Avenue; the driver, later identified as Chris Stokes, consented to an officer reaching into his backpack, where a Glock 19 handgun was found.
Stokes was charged with misdemeanor possession of a weapon on school property and is scheduled to appear in court on Monday.
University Response
The University of Memphis issued a brief statement confirming its awareness of the situation and noting that further comment is being withheld pending the ongoing investigation.
Effective immediately, Stokes has been removed from the football program and his player profile has been taken down from the school’s athletic website.
University officials emphasized that student safety remains a top priority and that the matter is being handled in cooperation with local law enforcement.