safety
Investigation underway after 12-year-old shot in the head in downtown Nashville
By Kassidy Brown at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· June 22, 2026
· 1 min read
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - The Metro Nashville Police Department is investigating after a 12-year-old as shot in the head in downtown Nashville Sunday night.The shooting happened in the 400 block of Union Street around 7:30 p.m. Sunday.MNPD told WSMV at the scene that the 12-year-old was shot duri...
Key takeaway (WSMV) - The Metro Nashville Police Department is investigating after a 12-year-old as shot in the head in downtown Nashville Sunday night.
Why this matters in The Nashville
The shooting of a 12-year-old boy in downtown Nashville raises concerns about the safety of the city's central area, particularly around popular venues like the Tennessee Performing Arts Center. The fact that a group of teens gathered to fight in the area suggests a lack of effective supervision or intervention, which may have contributed to the escalation of violence. As the Metro Nashville Police Department investigates, they will likely examine the circumstances leading up to the altercation and the response time of officers, who reportedly arrived quickly after hearing the shots. The community will be watching to see how the city addresses the root causes of this incident and works to prevent similar violence in the future. With the victim in extremely critical condition at Vanderbilt, the city holds its breath, awaiting news of the child's recovery and justice for the family.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: June 22, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 1 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - The Metro Nashville Police Department is investigating after a 12-year-old as shot in the head in downtown Nashville Sunday night.The shooting happened in the 400 block of Union Street around 7:30 p.m. Sunday.MNPD told WSMV at the scene that the 12-year-old was shot duri...
When was this published? This article was first published on June 22, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Kassidy Brown at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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