NASHVILLE, TN – A shooting near Tennessee State University left one person dead and multiple others injured Saturday evening during a homecoming celebration. The Metro Nashville Police Department reported the incident occurred just after 5 p.m. near the junction of Jefferson Street and 27th Street.
Authorities indicated that a 24-year-old male lost his life in the violence. Among the injured were three minors, whose conditions were reported as non-life-threatening.
The tragedy unfolded amid the homecoming festivities, with seven shots reportedly fired, leading attendees to scramble for safety. Witnesses described the scene as chaotic, mentioning stretchers being used to transport victims to nearby hospitals.
Tennessee State University quickly informed its students about an active shooter off campus around 5:30 p.m., describing the suspects as two African American males possibly driving a Ford Fusion.
Rauf Muhammad, 58, recounted how festivities turned into mayhem. He was within 50 yards of the shooting and described the scene as suddenly resembling a war zone. On hearing gunfire, Muhammad hit the ground and noted that emergency responders arrived swiftly.
High school graduate Jashawna Rucker also found herself near the shooting site on Jefferson Street. Believing the sound to be fireworks, she reflexively began running as chaos enveloped the area.
MNPD Public Information Officer Brooke Reese confirmed a total of ten victims were involved in the incident, including the individual who was killed. Five were taken to hospitals by the Nashville Fire Department, and the rest arrived via private transport. Some of these individuals were under suspicion of involvement in the gunfire.
During the incident, Nashville Fire Department personnel were on-site for the university’s parade and quickly responded despite lacking gear at their disposal. Kendra Loney from the department praised the responsiveness of the officials, who used makeshift means, such as belts as tourniquets, to provide immediate aid.