Police have confirmed the shooting of two people during high school graduation on the campus of Middle Tennessee State University.
Police confirmed the death of one person in the shooting Wednesday night during the Riverdale High School graduation at Murphy Center. They also said another was injured in the incident and is now hospitalized and in critical condition.
Rutherford County Sheriff Mike Fitzhugh told local media that the shooter or shooters remain at large and that K-9 units and officers were canvassing the area.
Riverdale’s commencement ceremony for 450 seniors started at 7 p.m. and had ended and people were leaving by the time the shooting had taken place.
“Tonight’s shooting at MTSU is a tragedy,” Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office Sgt. Dan Goodwin said. “We mourn with the family who lost a loved one and the victim injured.”
Investigators said the two people were shot near the tennis courts. It is unknown at this time whether either victim was a student, police reports.
“We are asking for the public’s patience. We are at ground zero on this investigation,” Goodwin said.
Rutherford County Schools spokesperson James Evans said the school, about 35 miles (56 kilometers) southeast of Nashville, would be closed on Thursday as a precaution.
More details later