A Tennessee mother is facing serious criminal charges after police say a disagreement over alleged bullying at a high school band meeting turned into a dangerous parking lot confrontation involving an SUV, multiple students, parents, and school staff.
Authorities say the incident happened outside a Memphis high school and could have ended in tragedy.
Mother Charged After Violent School Parking Lot Incident
36-year-old Jasmine Dunmars has been charged with multiple offenses following the alleged incident outside Melrose High School in Memphis, Tennessee.
According to investigators, Dunmars is facing:
- Assault
- Four counts of aggravated assault with a vehicle
- Reckless endangerment
- Vandalism
Police say the incident happened on April 21 after a parent-teacher meeting for the school’s band program.
Argument Started Over Alleged Bullying
According to court documents, the confrontation began when another mother, Jada Hayes, stayed behind after the meeting to discuss allegations involving Dunmars’ child.
Investigators say Hayes wanted to speak with Dunmars about claims that Dunmars’ child had been bullying her child.
Police said the conversation was brief, and Dunmars allegedly refused to discuss the matter before leaving the parking lot.
Police Say Dunmars Returned Moments Later
Authorities allege Dunmars left the scene in a Jeep Grand Cherokee but returned shortly afterward while Hayes was preparing to leave in her Nissan Pathfinder.
Investigators say Dunmars parked her SUV in front of Hayes’ vehicle, partially blocking her path.
Shortly after, a physical fight allegedly broke out involving Dunmars’ daughter and two of Hayes’ daughters.
School Staff Tried to Break Up the Fight
According to police, school staff quickly stepped in and separated the students involved.
However, investigators allege the situation escalated again when Dunmars allegedly ran toward Jada Hayes and began punching her.
Staff members reportedly intervened a second time and moved Hayes, her daughters, and others to a grassy area near the school building for safety.
SUV Allegedly Used as a Weapon
Police say the confrontation turned even more dangerous when Dunmars allegedly got back into her SUV.
According to investigators, Dunmars turned her vehicle toward Hayes’ Nissan Pathfinder and accelerated, crashing into the passenger side while a student was attempting to exit the vehicle.
Authorities said the student suffered minor injuries, including an abrasion.
Police Say Students and Staff Had to Jump Out of the Way
Investigators allege Dunmars then reversed her SUV before steering toward Hayes, her daughters, other students, and school staff.
According to the affidavit, Dunmars accelerated again in an alleged attempt to hit multiple people.
Police said everyone was able to move out of the way before being struck.
Authorities further allege Dunmars intentionally hit Hayes’ vehicle a second time before leaving the scene.
Vehicle Damage Estimated at Nearly $8,000
Police said Hayes later obtained a repair estimate totaling $7,937.61 for damage to her Nissan Pathfinder.
The extent of the damage reportedly supported investigators’ claims that the collisions were intentional.
Victims Identified Suspect in Photo Lineups
On April 30, investigators conducted recorded interviews with Jada Hayes and her daughter, Tatiana Hayes.
According to police, both identified Jasmine Dunmars in separate six-person photo lineups.
Officers with the Memphis Police Department later confirmed Dunmars was the driver of the Jeep involved in the incident.
Investigation Continues
Jasmine Dunmars now faces multiple felony and misdemeanor charges as the legal process moves forward.
The shocking incident has raised concerns about school safety, parental conflicts, and how quickly disputes involving children can escalate into dangerous situations.
As investigators continue reviewing evidence, the Memphis community is left asking how a conversation about bullying turned into a criminal case involving alleged vehicle attacks.
