On August 12, 2009, a large fight involving Brainerd students and non-students was reported on the parking lot of the Salvation Army located across the street from Brainerd High School. As the two School Resource Officers assigned to Brainerd High responded to disperse the fight, a single gunshot was fired among the crowd. The Hamilton County School Resource Officers along with officers from the Chattanooga Police Department assisted the crowd to disperse.

An investigation was initiated by the School Resource Officers into this incident. The school principal, Charles Joynes advised that there was a possible video of the person responsible for firing the weapon on a social network. Deputies Baxter and Short searched the social network sites and were able to locate and secure a copy of the incident. This video clearly showed Derrick Waldrop standing among the crowd holding the handgun and firing a single shot into the air.

Derrick Waldrop age 18, was arrested on August 18, 2009 and charged with Felonious Reckless Endangerment and Unlawful Possession of a Firearm and transported to the Hamilton County Jail.

The two School Resource Officers brought a final resolution to this event and in the process another gun has been removed from the wrong hands.