NASHVILLE, Tenn. ( WKRN ) — One person is dead and at least nine others were injured after a shooting near Tennessee State University on Saturday, which was celebrating its homecoming. Two suspects remain at large as of Sunday morning.
According to the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD), there was an exchange of gunfire between two groups at approximately 5:10 p.m. near the intersection of Jefferson Street and 27th Avenue North.
Crowds had gathered in the area for TSU’s homecoming parade and had largely dispersed, with most people heading to the 5 p.m. game at Nissan Stadium, authorities explained.
Crews with the Nashville Fire Department, which were already staged in the area for the parade, initially believed the gunshots to be fireworks, according to the agency’s Kendra Loney. They were quick to jump into action though, with some having to use their own belts as as tourniquets because they didn’t have their medical bags with them, Loney explained.
Police confirmed 10 people were hospitalized after the shooting. Five were taken to area hospitals by NFD while five others were taken by private vehicle, MNPD Public Information Officer Brooke Reese said during a media briefing . One person, a 24-year-old man, was pronounced dead.