NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A shooting at a community park left 16-year-old Justin Robinson fighting for his life in the hospital. Metro Police say that the teen, who was in critical condition at Skyline Medical Center, has now died.
Tonight we mourn the loss of another teenager to gun violence—this time in Madison. I’m grateful to our first responders, Parks staff, and witnesses who assisted the victim and kept others safe.
— Freddie O’Connell (@freddieoconnell) June 13, 2024
Don Aaron, spokesperson for Metro Police, explained this all started at the park at Madison Community Center.
Two rival groups of teenagers met up Wednesday afternoon, got in a fight, and two teens started shooting at one another. It left one 16-year-old shot in the chest.
"It's concerning phenomenon of young people having guns," said Aaron. "This is really no different than that type of scenario than Red Caboose Park a few weeks ago in Bellevue. These young people have gotten a hold of guns, and words of disrespect begin, and then suddenly weapons are produced, and one side starts shooting and the other side engages in gunfire."
Aaron said the victim was picked up by a passing driver, who wasn't involved. They brought him and another teen to the hospital.
Cassandra Compton learned what happened when she went to pick up her young children from Summer Camp.
"It's crazy because kids can't be kids," she said. "We have 3 kids that go to this Center and they could've been outside when this happened."
"Put the guns down because there's too many people dying," added father Nick Sims, who was with Cassandra and the kids. "Too many kids getting a hold of guns. It's just senseless killings."
Officers are now looking for the rest of the teens involved.
Fostering Hope provides Christmas for kids in foster care. I'm delighted to see Fostering Hope expand this year to expand their reach to now include kids in Foster care in metro AND foster kids in East TN hard hit by Helene.
-Bree Smith
