safety
Mother of girl shot by gunfire in downtown Nashville on July 4th pleads for change
By Steve Mehling at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· July 9, 2026
· 6 min read
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - The mother of an 8-year-old girl struck by a bullet fragment during Fourth of July celebrations downtown is speaking out, urging the community to find other ways to celebrate after her daughter was rushed to the hospital that night.Perri Orman said her family had planned...
Key takeaway A last-minute plan turns into a nightmareOrman said the family decided to attend the city’s Fourth of July celebration the morning of July 4, arriving around 4:30 p.
Why this matters in The Nashville
The incident on Broadway has raised concerns about public safety during large events in downtown Nashville . Perri Orman's plea for change echoes the worries of many parents who want to enjoy community celebrations without fearing for their children's safety. The fact that the family had to navigate a dense crowd to find security and then relied on a police ATV to reach the hospital highlights the challenges of providing emergency services in crowded areas. As the city continues to grow and attract larger crowds, it's crucial to assess the effectiveness of current safety measures and consider additional strategies to prevent similar incidents in the future. The use of a 9mm hollow point bullet, which fortunately did not expand or fragment, also raises questions about the type of firearms being used in the city and the need for stricter gun control measures to protect innocent bystanders.
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: July 9, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 6 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - The mother of an 8-year-old girl struck by a bullet fragment during Fourth of July celebrations downtown is speaking out, urging the community to find other ways to celebrate after her daughter was rushed to the hospital that night.Perri Orman said her family had planned...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 9, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Steve Mehling 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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