One person was killed and nine others were injured Saturday in a shooting in Nashville near Tennessee State University (TSU), which was holding its homecoming celebration, according to local authorities.
On X, Metro Nashville PD said all the victims were taken to area hospitals. Five gunshot-wound victims were transported by the Nashville Fire Department and five others were driven by private vehicles. Police also said a 24-year-old man is dead and at least one person who was injured is suspected to have been “involved in the gunfire.” Their identities were not immediately known.
Nashville police said evidence showed two groups fired shots from opposite sides of the street at the intersection of Jefferson Street and 27th Avenue North a little after 5 p.m. local time, The Tennessean reported, adding that the homicide unit was leading the investigation and detectives were interviewing the victims at hospitals.
A total of 10 gunshot wound victims are now at area hospitals. 5 were transported by NFD. 5 arrived by private vehicles. A 24-year-old man is deceased. 3 non-critical juv victims are at Vandy Peds. At least 1 of the injured is suspected to have been involved in the gunfire.
— Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) October 13, 2024
City authorities offered more details on the shooting during a press briefing in the evening.
Nashville Fire Department Public Information Officer Kendra Loney said that fire department crew members had already been in the area helping with homecoming festivities when the shooting happened.
These crew members recounted how they initially thought they were hearing fireworks before realizing there was gunfire and “then they quickly got into action,” Loney said. She also said the crew members relayed how they did things such as use their belts as tourniquets because they did not have their medical bags.
“While we don’t wish any ill on anyone, we are upset, we are angry about that disruption, we are angry that there were persons whose days were disrupted, that the innocence in this event was taken away, and that lives were endangered,” Loney said.
Nashville Police Commander Anthony McClain, who noted he graduated from Tennessee State University, said he and his family were “enjoying” the school’s homecoming celebration when tragedy struck.
“It’s unfortunate that a few folks pretty much ruined it for everybody, okay? So we have to come to the point where we stop this violence,” McCain said. “Fortunately for us, we had quite a few officers working the area. I think they were able to mitigate the carnage, so to speak. We appreciate their efforts. We appreciate the efforts of the fire department as well.”
Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell, a Democrat, posted about the shooting on X.
Earlier today, hundreds of us marched down historic Jefferson Street for homecoming.
What was a joyous atmosphere is tonight very different because of a senseless act of violence carried out by people who didn’t care who else might be caught in the crossfire.
— Freddie O’Connell (@freddieoconnell) October 13, 2024
“Earlier today, hundreds of us marched down historic Jefferson Street for homecoming,” he said. “What was a joyous atmosphere is tonight very different because of a senseless act of violence carried out by people who didn’t care who else might be caught in the crossfire.”
The mayor added, “Sadly, many in our community are familiar with the pain inflicted by gun violence. It hurts anew every time. We’re grateful for our first responders who quickly rendered aid and secured the scene – and sorrowful and prayerful for the victims.”
