Teen Basketball Player Unjustly Held by Police Amid Racial Profiling Incident

Local Teen Basketball Player Falsely Detained in Police Stop Amid Racial Profiling Claims

Authorities apprehended a 15-year-old athlete without justification, sparking outrage over alleged racial bias during a recent shooting incident.

November 4, 2026

Updated by reporter Alisha Shrestha on November 4, 2026

Carbondale resident Lynette White reports her son was detained without reasonable cause after gunfire erupted near W. Cherry Street early Sunday morning. While officers arrested two adults and recovered weapons, White insists her son was merely playing basketball when the chaos began.

Police responded to reports of gunfire around 12:25 a.m. on November 2, finding multiple individuals fleeing the scene. Officers discovered discarded firearms and empty shells but confirmed no injuries occurred, though property damage was noted to an abandoned structure.

Among those taken into custody was Brandon J. Moore, 18, from Oklahoma, charged with resisting officers, alongside Lanika L. White, 39, from Carbondale, facing a driving violation warrant. Both minors remain incarcerated pending court proceedings.

White, identifying herself as her son’s mother, maintains officers targeted him solely due to perceived racial characteristics—describing him as wearing dreads, a hoodie, and carrying a backpack. She asserts video documentation proves her son was indoors prior to shots being fired, yet still subjected to detention.

Additionally, White alleges repeated racial profiling by the same officer, claiming she and neighbors were searching for another youth when the shooting occurred. She emphasizes her son’s focus should remain on academics and athletics rather than criminal accusations.

Publicly shared evidence on social platforms supports her narrative, with White stating intentions to submit all materials to authorities for review. The Carbondale Police Department has not confirmed the 15-year-old’s arrest, instead emphasizing their focus on adult suspects and weapon recovery.

Community members urge thorough investigation through available footage, noting typical police protocols often involve body camera review. However, current statements lack details on video availability or release plans.

Ongoing inquiries stress importance of transparent evidence evaluation to determine proper procedures before, during, and after the incident. Local residents seek accountability while awaiting official findings.