Gang activity suspected in weekend shooting near TSU campus

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — While the investigation is ongoing, the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) says gang activity is suspected to play a role in the deadly shooting near the Tennessee State University campus over the weekend.

Police said approximately five individuals, including Vonquae Johnson, 24, who died as a result of the shooting, have local gang affiliations and started “indiscriminately shooting at each other” shortly after 5 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 12, at the intersection of 27th Avenue North and Jefferson Street.

Two more of the five individuals were among the wounded and hospitalized, according to MNPD. Four of the five have previous arrest histories, police said, including one convicted within the last six months. That individual, who was not named by police, was convicted on charges of robbery, felony possession of the drug ecstasy for resale, and felony gun possession. He received a 10-year probated sentence to the Community Corrections Program, according to police.

The case is currently being investigated by Homicide Unit detectives and their counterparts in the Specialized Investigations Division, according to MNPD. Police said they continue to develop additional information about those involved in the gunfire and build criminal cases against them.

“Our detective teams have advanced this investigation significantly since Saturday evening and continue to gather information on those involved,” Chief John Drake said. “The shooters obviously had no regard for human life and put a crowd of innocent persons, including children, in extreme danger. The entire criminal justice system must treat violent gun crime with the seriousness it demands with resulting incarceration for those convicted.”

The nine surviving people wounded Saturday evening are all recovering, none with critical injuries, police said.