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1 Killed In Shooting; Body Found At Apt. Complex

Posted at 7:42 PM, May 23, 2017
and last updated 2017-05-24 15:28:04-04

The body of a shooting victim was found at a Murfreesboro apartment complex.

The incident happened at University Ridge Apartment at 2707 South Rutherford Boulevard Tuesday night.

Sources told NewsChannel 5 multiple gunshots were heard in the area around 7:30 p.m.

The victim, later identified as 19-year-old Jaylin Juan Pritchard, was allegedly shot in the head. Police officials said witnesses told them Pritchard had been thrown out of a black Mercedes. It's believed he was shot and killed in a parked vehicle in the parking lot.

A statement from police read, "Mr. Pritchard is not a resident of Murfreesboro and had traveled here with a friend the day of the homicide to conduct business of an unknown nature."

Murfreesboro Police officers have been searching for the suspects, who were in the Mercedes. It was tracked to Rogers Park.

Officers recovered a gun from inside the vehicle, where the seats and interior were covered in blood.

Sources said a gold Toyota then picked up the suspects at the park. One of them was injured from a reported gunshot wound to the hip. 

Officers also found an AR-15 rifle in the park wood line near the suspects' drop off location.

Homicide detectives said they would be watching area hospitals for the injured suspect. They said judging by the blood found in the first getaway car, he could be in danger of bleeding out.

The car had a flat because someone shot out the tire. It's not clear yet who shot the tire or suspect hit in the hip.

This was not the first time a shooting has happened at University Ridge. In fact, earlier this month an Middle Tennessee State University student said he was moving out of the complex after he was almost hit by a stray bullet.

Student Recalls Close Call When His Apartment Was Hit By A Stray Bullet
Police Identify Murfreesboro Apartment Complex Shooting Victim

In fact, the Murfreesboro Mayor identified the complex among several in his plan to combat crime in the city's apartments.

Murfreesboro Mayor Unveils Plan To Cut Crime At Student Apartment Complexes

University Ridge was listed as one of the five complexes in the city that makes the most police calls.

The police and mayor have also offered to work with the owners and managers of some of these apartment complexes. But so far they have received little or no response.