Gibson County, Tenn.–A Gibson Co. man was sentenced to 76 years in prison for murder and attempted murder following an incident at the Humboldt High School gym in 2021.
On April 7, 2025, in the Circuit Court of Gibson County at Humbolt Law Court, defendant, Jadon Hardiman, age 21, was sentenced by the Honorable Clayburn Peeples to serve an effective 76-year sentence in the Tennessee Department of Correction.
After an extensive three-day jury trial that concluded on November 20, 2024, Hardiman was convicted of Two Counts of Second-Degree Murder, Attempted Second Degree Murder, Employing a Firearm During the Commission of a Dangerous Felony, Carrying a Weapon on School Property with the Intent to Go Armed, and Aggravated Assault.
In November of 2021, Hardiman entered the concession area of the Humboldt High School basketball gym and shot and killed Justin Pankey and Xavier Clifton and wounded Dontavious Cross. Many people were placed in fear of imminent bodily injury by Hardiman’s shooting, as shown by video footage of students fleeing into the gym, into bathrooms, and other areas of the school.
District Attorney General Frederick Agee said, “Violent crime is our highest priority, and we will continue to focus on those that choose to enact violent crimes in our communities. While we understand the families of Xavier Clifton and Justin Pankey will never see their loved ones again, we hope that with today’s sentencing they can find closure and begin their healing process. We want to thank the Humboldt Police Department and the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation for their assistance in bringing Hardiman to justice.”
District Attorney Frederick Agee, Asst. D.A. Nina Seiler, and Asst. D.A. Scott Kirk prosecuted this case.