Shooting after Tennessee State University homecoming parade leaves 1 dead, 9 others injured

Tennessee State University became the center of a heartbreaking tragedy on Saturday, October 12, when a man was shot to death and nine other people were injured when gunfire erupted after the homecoming parade. The injured victims included three children, according to NBC News.

According to WSMV’s update, Nashville police said the horrific incident was the result of two groups shooting at each other on opposite sides of the street. “We can tell from the shell casings that there were gunshots on one side of the street and then on the other side of the street,” police spokesman Don Aaron told the media. They opened fire on the campus on Jefferson Street around 5:10 p.m. By this time, the parade was over. However, parking lots were still full.

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Three victims of the Tennessee State University shooting were minors

Aaron said of the three children shot, one was 12 years old and the other two were 14. Their injuries were reported as non-critical. Furthermore, it was confirmed that the deceased victim was a 24-year-old man. It has not yet been revealed whether the victims were students. While some were hit by gunfire, others were reported with serious injuries.

“A total of 10 gunshot wound victims are now in area hospitals. 5 were transported by NFD. 5 arrived in private vehicles. A 24-year-old man died. 3 non-critical juvenile victims are at Vandy Peds. At least one of the injured is suspected of being involved in the shooting,” the Metro Nashville Police Department tweeted on X, formerly Twitter.

Amid the ongoing investigation, police found a gun in the street and believe pistols were used in the altercation. Detectives are interviewing shooting victims and, as Aaron pointed out, “things are starting to come together.” Authorities are still trying their best to figure out how many shooters were at the scene. At least one individual who ended up in the hospital is believed to be involved in the shooting. Detectives are analyzing surveillance cameras to identify suspects.

A separate incident occurred at Nissan Stadium, where the school’s football game was taking place, according to Tennessee State University officials. The investigation into the gunshots heard at the scene is ongoing. Police said they did not locate any victims. It is currently unclear whether a shooting also occurred at the stadium.

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The spokesperson highlighted that the wild development was unexpected because “there were police everywhere.” Meanwhile, Nashville Fire Department spokeswoman Kendra Loney said some firefighters who helped victims at the scene were there to have fun. “Our people told me about times when they ripped off their belts and did things like using them as tourniquets,” she added.

Nashville Mayor Freddie O’Connell also took to social media and condemned the violence. “What was a joyful atmosphere tonight is very different because of a senseless act of violence carried out by people who didn’t care who else might get caught in the crossfire,” he wrote on X/Twitter.

He added: “Unfortunately, many in our community are familiar with the pain inflicted by gun violence. It hurts again each time. We are grateful to our first responders who quickly provided aid and secured the scene – and we are saddened and praying for the victims.”