Metropolitan Police identify man fatally injured in mass shooting on Jefferson Street

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – TO UPDATE: According to police, 24-year-old Vonquae Johnson died and nine other people were injured.

Police believe the shooting was the result of two groups shooting at each other on opposite sides of the street.

The shooting occurred near Tennessee State University around 5:30 p.m., about 20 minutes after the street reopened for the parade on Saturday morning.

Police confirmed that a 12-year-old girl and two 14-year-old girls were injured in the shooting but are expected to survive. The other victims are between 30 and 50 years old, police confirm.

Detectives are currently in hospitals interviewing victims who can speak.

The shooting occurred after the crowd began to thin following TSU’s homecoming festivities, MNPD said.

MNPD said there was an exchange of gunfire between two groups on opposite sides of the street, with some passersby being hit in the crossfire.

There is currently no confirmation of the number of shooters, but MNPD said two of them are being treated at a hospital. Surveillance cameras are being analyzed by police to identify suspects.

Some believed to be involved in the shooting are known to police, MNPD said.

Police recovered a gun at the scene and say they believe it was the weapon used in the shooting.

MNPD Public Information Officer Don Aaron said, “This type of gun violence simply needs to stop. We would never have expected this to happen here with all the authorities and firefighters on scene.”

Police also said they are investigating gunshots heard near Nissan Stadium, but said they have not located any victims or signs of gunfire at this time.

Mayor Freddie O’Connell also reacted to the shooting, calling it a “senseless act of violence.”

O’Connell tweeted the following:

“Earlier today, hundreds of us marched down historic Jefferson Street to Homecoming.

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.

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.”

TO UPDATE: One is dead and nine others are injured after a shooting near Tennessee State University, the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) confirms.

MNPD confirmed the deceased victim is a 24-year-old man. Three victims are minors but are expected to survive. They are being treated in Pediatrics at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

The shooting occurred around 5:30 p.m. at Jefferson Street and 21st Avenue North, MNPD said.

Of the injured victims, five were taken to hospitals by ambulance, while others were left in private vehicles.

Nashville Fire Department Public Information Officer Kendra Loney said the incident “interrupted a fun day for a lot of people.”

Firefighters were on scene before gunfire began due to the homecoming parade, and initially thought the gunshots were fireworks.

The NFD personnel were able to see the multiple victims hit by the gunshots and began treating them using belts and everything they could like tourniquets, because they did not have their medical bags with them.

At least one victim is believed to be directly involved in the shooting, MNPD said, while others were just bystanders.

Loney confirmed there were serious injuries.

MNPD Commander Anthony McClain said, “We have to stop this violence.”

MNPD is actively investigating the incident and said it will continue to provide updates.

Witnesses told WSMV they heard 30 to 40 gunshots and then everyone started running.

PREVIOUS: Multiple people were injured in a shooting Saturday night, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department.

The shooting reportedly occurred near the Tennessee State University campus at Jefferson Street and 27th Avenue North, MNPD said.

The location is safe and all victims were transported to hospitals.

People at the scene say chaos broke out and people started running after hearing gunshots.

A heavy police presence is in the area with several officers and emergency vehicles.

Crime scene tape is spread across a portion of the street.

A media support area is being created so authorities can share more details about the response.

This is a developing story.

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