Breaking News: Tragedy Strikes Tennessee as Tornado Destroys School, Claims Two Lives Including Lady Vols Basketball Prospect July 20, 2025 – Tennessee

Breaking News: Tragedy Strikes Tennessee as Tornado Destroys School, Claims Two Lives Including Lady Vols Basketball Prospect

 

July 20, 2025 – Tennessee

 

A devastating F-2 tornado tore through parts of central Tennessee early Monday morning, leaving a path of destruction in its wake and claiming the lives of two people — including a promising young basketball player from the Lady Vols community.

 

The National Weather Service (NWS) has confirmed the tornado reached peak winds of up to 125 mph as it touched down near Manchester, TN, before moving northeast. Among the worst-hit areas was Oakridge Primary School, which suffered a near-total structural collapse during the storm. Rescue crews arrived on the scene within minutes, but the damage had already been done.

 

The community is in mourning today after the tragic loss of 12-year-old Amaya Johnson, a standout student and rising basketball star, who had recently been recognized by the University of Tennessee’s Lady Vols youth development program. Amaya was inside the school gymnasium with several other students when the tornado hit just before 9:00 a.m. She and another young student, identified as 9-year-old Jackson Brewer, were killed in the collapse.

 

Dozens more were injured, with at least seven students and three staff members transported to nearby hospitals with serious but non-life-threatening injuries. Emergency response teams worked through debris for hours, using K-9 units and thermal imaging to search for survivors.

 

“It’s a heartbreaking day,” said Manchester Fire Chief Ray Montgomery during a press conference. “Two young lives were cut short, and an entire community is shaken. This tornado moved fast and gave very little warning.”

 

The National Weather Service had issued a tornado watch earlier in the morning, but the storm intensified rapidly. Local authorities are now investigating the school’s structural integrity and response systems, with questions being raised about whether students should have been in the gym at that time.

 

The Lady Vols basketball program released a statement on social media, saying, “We are devastated by the loss of Amaya Johnson, a beloved member of our basketball family. Her passion, leadership, and kindness were already inspiring so many. Our hearts go out to her family and to all affected by this tragic event.”

 

Photos from the scene show twisted metal, broken bricks, and a collapsed roof where the school’s gymnasium once stood. Parents gathered near the site, many in tears, as first responders briefed them on the rescue efforts.

 

Governor Lee has declared a state of emergency for Coffee County and surrounding areas. “We will mobilize every resource necessary to support the families and help rebuild the community,” he stated in an afternoon address.

 

Counseling services are being provided at a nearby church for students, parents, and staff coping with the traumatic events.

 

This tragedy marks Tennessee’s deadliest tornado event of 2025 so far. As clean-up and recovery begin, the state mourns the loss of two innocent lives — with Amaya’s memory standing as a symbol of the talent and potential lost too soon.