One Dead, Nine Injured in Tennessee Shootout Near University

 

A shootout near Tennessee State University on Saturday afternoon left one person dead and nine others injured, according to local authorities. The incident took place around 5 p.m. as a crowd, gathered for homecoming events earlier in the day, was starting to disperse.

Nashville police spokesperson Don Aaron reported that the gunfire erupted between two groups across a street near the campus. Evidence collected from shell casings indicates shots were exchanged between the groups. While the shooting occurred close to the university, it did not appear directly related to the school’s events, which included a parade and other festivities. A football game was also taking place elsewhere in the city at the time of the incident.

"It’s unfortunate that a few individuals ruined it for everyone," Nashville police commander Anthony McClain said. "We need to come together and put an end to this violence."

Authorities confirmed that a 24-year-old man was killed in the shooting. Among the wounded were two 12-year-olds and a 14-year-old, all of whom sustained non-critical injuries. Aaron noted that some of the wounded individuals were likely involved in the exchange of gunfire.

Emergency responders, who were already present for the day’s events, quickly arrived at the scene. Fire department personnel used makeshift tourniquets, including belts, to assist the injured, according to spokesperson Kendra Loney.

Witnesses described a chaotic scene following the gunfire. Jashawna Rucker, a witness interviewed by WTVF, recounted the fear and panic, saying, "I’m just thankful I didn’t lose my life or get shot."

Another witness, Rauf Muhammad, who was selling food nearby, said he immediately dropped to the ground when the shooting started. "Everyone was having fun, music was playing, and then it felt like we were in a war zone," Muhammad told The Tennessean.

This shooting adds to the growing number of mass shootings in the United States. Earlier on Saturday in Oklahoma City, another shooting occurred during a party, leaving 13 people shot, one fatally. According to the Gun Violence Archive, there have been over 415 mass shootings in the U.S. this year alone. The archive defines a mass shooting as one where four or more individuals are either killed or injured.

Despite ongoing gun violence, calls for stricter federal gun control legislation have largely gone unanswered, with little action taken by Congress to address the issue.