Mass Shootings
Mass shootings are an epidemic in the United States. As a nation, we experience an average of 1.8 mass shootings (four or more people shot, not including the shooter) every day. While people often think of mass shootings as high profile incidents involving large numbers of victims and occurring in public places like schools, churches, or restaurants, the majority of mass shootings actually happen in very mundane places, such as parking lots, neighborhood streets, and homes. And while most people think of mass shooters as "deranged" and "crazy," the majority are just angry men with easy access to firearms.
The number of U.S. mass shootings has increased dramatically since 2014. During that time, the number in Tennessee has fluctuated. In 2019, there were only seven, resulting in three deaths and 32 injuries. But the following year, there were 19, resulting in seven deaths and 57 injuries.
However, as we near the end of 2023, Tennessee is on track to exceed those numbers. Midway through November, we have seen a total of 35 Tennesseans killed in mass shootings, a new record. Additionally, there have already been three mass murders (four or more people fatally shot) in 2023, more than in any previous year: the Covenant school shooting (six fatally shot) and two familcides, one resulting in six fatalities and the other resulting in five. So far this year, ten Tennessee children have been killed in a mass murder shooting event.
2023 Mass Shootings in Tennessee
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With help from the Gun Violence Archive, we are tracking every mass shooting in Tennessee in 2021. Incidents in red are familicide mass shootings, where an individual kills multiple close family members in quick succession, most often children and spouses or partners. For more about Gun Violence Archive and their methodology, click here.
Since January 1st, 2023, and as of November 29th, there have been at least:
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Total mass shootings: 20
Total mass murders: 3
Total killed: 35
Adults killed: 24
Children killed: 11
Total injured: 76​
Adults injured: 71
Children injured: 5
Familicide/family annihilations: 2
January 29 - Luttrell
1 adult dead - 4 children dead - 0 injured
A 52-year-old man fatally shot four children, two 5-year-old little girls, a 9-year-old girl, and a 15-year-old teenage girl, before setting their home on fire and fatally shooting himself. FBI agents interviewed the man’s' wife, who said he "had been paranoid lately and accused her of cheating on him." She also said that "for the last few months he had been saying that there was a devil in his head attacking him and that he wanted to harm himself, but was afraid to because of how that would affect his salvation."
February 19 - Memphis
1 adult dead - 10 adults injured
A series of shootings in and around the Live nightclub left one person dead and another ten injured. Police are investigating to determine what led to the shooting and to identify the perpetrators.
https://wreg.com/news/local/1-dead-10-injured-in-whitehaven-shootings/
February 26 - Memphis
1 adult dead - 4 adults injured
A shooting at a Memphis gas station at 4675 S. Third left one person dead and four critically injured. Police have not provided any suspect information at this time, and they are now investigating.
https://wreg.com/news/five-shooting-victims/
February 27 - Memphis
2 adults dead - 1 adult injured - 2 children injured
Two men are dead and one man and two teens were injured after a shooting in South Memphis. The deceased were ages 20 and 22. The injured adult was 19. Both teens were 17. Police have not given a motive for the shooting, but it is believed to have stemmed from a recent car theft.
https://wreg.com/news/local/four-shot-two-dead-in-south-memphis/
March 6 - Memphis
3 adults dead - 1 adult injured
MPD responding to a call found a man and woman shot inside of a red Chevrolet Camaro. The woman later died from her injuries, according to police. Two more men were found shot to death inside an apartment. Police said this shooting appears to be an isolated case of domestic violence, according to their preliminary findings.
https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/man-who-shot-four-people-killing-three-at-memphis-apartments-identified-police-say/article_e7623f94-bf8d-11ed-8689-afc7a8e55105.html
March 7 - Memphis
0 dead - 3 adults injured - 1 child injured
Memphis Police Department is investigating a shooting that left four people injured, including a juvenile. The shooting took place on Labelle Street near Durby Circle. Officers found four people with gunshot wounds. According to MPD, two of them were taken to Regional One in critical condition. Another victim was taken to Methodist University in non-critical condition, and a juvenile was taken to Le Bonheur in non-critical condition. MPD said the investigation is ongoing.
March 27 - Nashville
3 adults dead - 3 children dead
Three students and three adults were shot and killed at Covenant Presbyterian School, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department. Police said a 28-year-old Nashville suspect, identified as a former Covenant School student, arrived at the campus in a Honda Fit. The shooter was heavily armed with three guns, two of them assault-type weapons, and, as seen in surveillance video, shot into the church and school through doors on the side of the building. Police responded quickly and shot and killed the shooter.
March 29 - Memphis
2 adults dead - 5 adults injured
MPD said officers responded to a shooting call outside of Prive on Winchester and Riverdale roads. One man was found dead at the scene and another was taken to Regional One Hospital in critical condition where he later died. Five other people — a 35-year-old man, 30-year-old man, 37-year-old man, 31-year-old man and 25-year-old woman — were taken to other hospitals by personal vehicle. MPD said each of the victims had been shot. "[Preliminary] information indicates that the shooting stemmed from an altercation that started inside the club," MPD said in a Twitter statement. Two people were arrested in connection to the shooting.
https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/2023/03/30/two-dead-five-injured-overnight-in-shooting-at-memphis-club/70063929007/
April 3 - Jackson
0 dead - 4 adults injured
According to the Jackson Police Department, officers responded to the 1600 block of Hollywood Drive after a report of shots fired. Upon arrival, JPD says officers encountered a vehicle with five individuals inside. Of the occupants, JPD says one was found with a life-threatening injury, three had injuries that were non-life-threatening, and one occupant was unharmed. An investigation into the incident remains ongoing.
https://www.wbbjtv.com/2023/04/04/multiple-injuries-after-report-of-shots-fired-in-west-jackson/
May 22 - Columbia
1 adult dead - 4 adults injured
MPD responded to reports of a shooting on Beech Street. As officers responded to the scene, multiple people were taken to local hospitals with gunshot wounds. A nineteen-year-old suffered multiple gunshot wounds and was pronounced dead at Maury Regional Medical Center, police said. Another 19-year-old was flown to Vanderbilt Medical Center in critical condition, while three other people were treated for non-life-threatening injuries. Columbia Police say a large fight happened on Beech Street between eight people who all knew each other. The fight led to the exchange of gunfire. A nineteen-year-old suspect was taken into custody.
https://www.wsmv.com/2023/05/23/teen-charged-after-shootout-leaves-another-teen-dead-4-injured-columbia/
May 28 - Memphis
0 dead - 4 adults injured
Officers responded to a shooting in the 400 block of Deerskin Drive where they found four victims between the ages of 21 and 23. The 23-year-old was transported to Regional One, and one 22-year-old was transported to Methodist University Hospital. Both were in critical condition. Another 22-year-old and a 21-year-old were transported to Methodist South in non-critical condition. Police say several male suspects came from Gaineville Avenue and fled on foot.
https://wreg.com/news/local/southwest-memphis-shooting-leaves-four-men-injured/
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June 2nd - Memphis
0 dead - 4 adults injured
Police say officers responded to a shooting in the 4600 block of Mill Stream Drive where they found four people suffering from apparent gunshot wounds. The victims were all expected to survive. According to police, preliminary information indicates there was at least one shooter, and the suspects were in a black Dodge Charger being trailed by a gray Dodge Charger.
https://wreg.com/news/local/four-injured-in-whitehaven-shooting-suspects-on-the-run/
June 15 - Sequatchie
3 adults dead - 3 children dead - 1 adult injured
Six people are dead in Marion County from what investigators say is a murder-suicide. Three of those killed were children. A seventh person was also shot and remains in the hospital. Gary Barnett, who is one of the three adults found dead, is believed to have been the shooter who killed the other victims before setting the home on fire and turning the gun on himself. Barnett was under an order of protection related to a prior domestic dispute with his estranged wife who told police that he had 50-60 guns and she feared he would get drunk and shoot her.
July 15 - Memphis
1 adult dead - 4 adults injured
Memphis Police officers responded to a shooting call in the 3400 Block of Ridgemont Avenue where they found four male victims suffering from gunshot wounds. Shortly afterward, a fifth victim with multiple gunshot wounds arrived at Methodist North Hospital in a private vehicle. He was pronounced dead upon arrival. According to Memphis Police, the two suspects responsible for the shooting were wearing white ski masks and left the scene in a black Dodge Challenger.
https://wreg.com/news/local/one-dead-four-injured-after-shooting-in-raleigh/
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July 22 - Memphis
1 adult dead - 3 adults injured 1 child injured
According to Memphis Police, officers responded to a shooting call in the 2900 block of Meadows Lane where five people were found suffering from gunshot wounds.Police say one man was taken to Methodist University in critical condition where he was pronounced dead. Two female victims were taken to St. Francis Hospital in critical condition and one child was taken to Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital in critical condition. Another male victim who was non-critical, was taken to Baptist East Hospital.No suspect information is available at this time, but this is still an ongoing investigation.
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August 13 - Memphis
0 dead - 8 adults injured
Multiple people were injured after shooting in downtown Memphis, according to the Memphis Police Department (MPD). Eight adults, ranging in age from 19 to 54, were transported to various local hospitals. No suspects are in custody. Police are investigating.
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August 15 - Clarksville
2 adults dead - 5 adults injured
Two brothers were killed and five people — including four police officers and a hostage — were injured in a standoff. According to the TBI, Clarksville officers had executed arrest warrants Tuesday afternoon for two brothers, charging each with aggravated burglary. However, the brothers allegedly barricaded themselves in an apartment with a hostage, resulting in several hours of negotiations with officers. Officials said officers eventually entered the home and a shootout occurred, which led to the Green brothers being shot and killed and the hostage being shot and injured.
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September 23 - Covington
0 dead - 5 adults injured
Covington police and Tipton County deputies were dispatched to Covington Event Center after gunshots were reported. Upon arrival, deputies began administering first aid to a female gunshot victim who was found to be in extremely critical condition. Deputies also learned of four other gunshot victims that were transported to Baptist Tipton by private vehicle. Evidence on scene suggests there were multiple shooters in various areas in and around the Event Center. Authorities continue to investigate what led to the shooting and to identify suspects.
https://covingtonleader.com/news/public-safety/five-shot-during-party-at-covingtons-event-center/
November 19 - Memphis
3 adults dead - 1 child dead - 1 child injured
Police responded to a shooting on Field Lark Drive. Officers reportedly found a 13-year-old girl and a woman dead on the scene. Reports say a 15-year-old girl went to the hospital in critical condition. Another shooting, nearly 13 miles away on Warrington Road, left another woman dead, police said. According to police, preliminary information suggests that this shooting was the result of domestic violence and that the suspect is related to all of the victims. The suspect was later found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
https://www.cnn.com/2023/11/18/us/memphis-tennessee-shootings/index.html
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November 23 - Memphis
0 dead - 5 adults injured
Police arrived at the scene of a shooting in the 2700 block of Kimball Avenue. Officers found a man and woman suffering from gunshot wounds. They were rushed to the hospital in critical condition. Two other women were taken to the hospital with non-critical injuries. MPD said two suspects ran from the area, leaving a stolen car at the scene.
https://www.localmemphis.com/article/news/crime/3-killed-at-least-5-injured-in-multiple-shootings-on-thanksgiving/522-233d430e-04ba-4e68-a192-b4ba305c91a3