NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — An investigation got underway Thursday after a 26-year-old nurse was shot and killed on Interstate 440.
Metro Nashville police say the shooting likely occurred between 6 p.m. and 6:30 p.m. They identified the victim as Caitlyn Kaufman. Investigators say she was on the way to work at Ascension Saint Thomas Hospital (Saint Thomas West Hospital) for a shift that began at 7 p.m.
The hospital has released the following statement: "With respect for the victim's family and the ongoing investigation by Nashville Police, we aren’t going to comment at this time."
The gunfire that killed Nashville nurse Caitlyn Kaufman, 26, on I-440 Thursday night likely occurred btwn 6 p.m. & 6:30 p.m. She was on the way to work at St. Thomas West Hospital for a shift that began at 7 p.m. See unusual activity on I-440 Thur evening? Pls call 615-742-7463. https://t.co/9OVWugzast
— Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) December 4, 2020
According to police, a Metro Parks officer saw a Mazda SUV on the right shoulder of the road against the guard rail of I-440, between the Hillsboro Pike and West End Avenue exits. That officer stopped to help, assuming the driver had crashed.
Inside the SUV, police say they found a woman who died of a gunshot wound.
Investigators said there were bullet holes in the window of the car. They believe the bullets were fired into the SUV.
Tennessee Department of Transportation officials say their cameras do not record but only monitor traffic. When asked if they anticipate any changes to their policy on not recording, TDOT responded: “Between the storage it would require and the labor to deal with all the requests, it’s not something the department plans to undertake."
Anyone traveling on I-440 Thursday evening who may have seen something out of the ordinary is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.
