Metro Police identify man fatally wounded in mass shooting on Jefferson Street
Two of the other nine injured in the shooting, are believed to be involved in the incident, police said.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - UPDATE: According to police, 24-year-old Vonquae Johnson died and nine others were injured.
Police believe the shooting was a result of two groups shooting at each other from opposite sides of the street.
The shooting occurred near Tennessee State University at around 5:30 p.m. around 20 minutes after the street reopened from the parade on Saturday morning.
Police confirmed that one 12-year-old girl and two 14-year-old girls were injured in the shooting but are expected to survive. The other victims are ages 30 to 50, police confirm.
Detectives are currently at hospitals interviewing victims who are able to speak.
The shooting occurred after the crowd began to thin out following the TSU homecoming festivities, MNPD said.
MNPD said that gunfire was exchanged between two groups on opposite sides of the street, with some bystanders being hit in the crossfire.
There is currently no confirmation on the number of shooters, but MNPD said that two of them are being treated at a hospital. Surveillance cameras are being reviewed by police to identify suspects.
Some believed to be involved in the shooting are known to police, MNPD said.
Police have recovered one handgun at the scene, and say that they believe handguns were the weapons used in the shooting.
MNPD Public Information Officer Don Aaron said, “This type of gun violence just has to stop. We would have never expected this to happen here with all the law enforcement and firefighters on scene.”
Police also said that they are investigating shots heard near Nissan Stadium but said they have not located any victims or signs of a shooting 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 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.
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."
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 juveniles, but they’re expected to survive. They are being treated at Vanderbilt University Medical Center Pediatrics.
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 dropped off by private vehicles.
Nashville Fire Department Public Information Officer Kendra Loney said the incident “interrupted an otherwise fun day for a lot of people.”
Fire crews were on the scene before gunfire erupted due to the homecoming parade, and they initially thought the gunfire was fireworks.
NFD personnel were able to see the multiple victims hit by the gunfire and began treating them using belts and anything they could as tourniquets because they didn’t 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 critical injuries.
MNPD Commander Anthony McClain said, “We have to stop this violence.”
MNPD is actively investigating the incident and said they will continue to give updates.
Witnesses told WSMV that they heard 30 to 40 gunshots, then everyone started running.
PREVIOUS: Multiple people have been injured in a shooting on Saturday evening, according to Metro Nashville Police Department.
The shooting reportedly occurred near the campus of Tennessee State University at Jefferson Street and 27th Avenue North, MNPD said.
The scene is secure and all victims have been transported to hospitals.
People on scene say chaos erupted and people started running after hearing shots.
A heavy police presence is in the area with multiple officers and emergency vehicles.
Crime scene tape is up around a portion of the street.
A media staging area is being set up so that authorities can share more details about the response.
This is a developing story.
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