2 student passersby survive shooting at Tennessee State University, 1 killed

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – Two student passersby injured in a late-night shooting at Tennessee State University were released from the hospital Friday as neighbours mourned the loss of a 19-year-old man who was killed and police searched for the shooter.

The shooting happened in an outdoor courtyard during an argument over a dice game about 10:50 p.m. Thursday, Metro Nashville Police Spokesman Don Aaron said. The victim was identified as Cameron Selmon, of Memphis. He was not a student at the school, Aaron said.

Three women, all 18-year-old students, were passing by the courtyard when they were injured by the gunfire.

One of the three women was grazed and did not require hospitalization. The other two were treated at Vanderbilt University Medical Center and released on Friday. Police have not released the students’ names.

Police continued to search for clues as to the shooter’s identity on Friday.

Several students used their phones to record the fight. Police said they have obtained some video, but they encouraged other students who scattered when the shooting began to come forward with further recordings and information.

“The person who fired those shots put innocent persons in extreme danger,” Aaron said.

A neighbour of Selmon’s family in Memphis said residents were saddened and shocked by his death. She said she had known him since he was a young boy.

“He had good parents — good, loving parents,” Harriett Freeman said by telephone. “He was always very respectful, saying, ‘Yes, ma’am’ and ‘No, ma’am.’ … “My heart goes out to his family.”

The shooting comes just over a week after three people were wounded by gunfire at an off-campus party across the street from the university.

Speaking at a Friday afternoon news conference, Nashville Mayor Megan Barry and TSU President Glenda Baskin Glover said they believe the TSU campus is safe.

Glover said the campus has spent $1 million in the past year to hire new police and security officers and improve fencing and lighting on the urban campus.

As a temporary measure, Nashville police officers will patrol the campus on foot at night.

The North Nashville neighbourhood where TSU is located has largely been left out of the city’s recent development boom. Mayor Barry, who took office in September, said she wants to change that by investing in and revitalizing the neighbourhood.

“Tennessee State University and the community that surrounds it is an incredibly important part of the fabric of our city,” she said.