NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Gunfire broke out among a crowd near a university in Tennessee on Saturday afternoon, killing one person and wounding nine others, police said.
A crowd that gathered earlier in the day for homecoming events at Tennessee State University began to thin out when gunfire broke out between two groups around 5 p.m., Metro Nashville Police Department spokesman Don Aaron said. He said shell casings indicate gunfire was exchanged between the groups on a street near campus.
MetroNashville Police Department Commander Anthony McClain said the gunfire did not appear to be directly related to events at Tennessee State University, which included a parade and other festivities earlier in the day. The football match was taking place in another part of the city when the gunfire occurred.
“It’s a shame that a few people ruined it for everyone,” McClain said. “We have to come to a point to stop this violence.”
A 24-year-old man has died, according to a police statement on social media. The victims included two 12-year-olds and a 14-year-old with non-critical injuries, Aaron said.
Police spokesperson Brooke Reese said at least some of the injured appear to have been involved in the gunfire.
Police and firefighters attending the day’s activities were able to quickly respond to the shooting, authorities said. Fire Department spokesperson Kendra Loney said some firefighters used belts as tourniquets.
Witness Jashawna Rucker told WTVF-TV that chaos ensued after people heard the shots, and she saw people crying as they ran to safety.
“I’m thankful I didn’t lose my life or get shot,” Rucker said.
Rauf Muhammad told The Tennessean newspaper that he was selling food from a tent along the street when he heard the gunfire and fell to the ground.
“Everyone is having fun, there’s music playing or something. Then you suddenly hear as if you are involved in a war somewhere,” Mohammed told the newspaper.