Teen taken into custody following shooting on MTSU campus; victim identified

MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WKRN) – The family has identified the victim in Wednesday night’s deadly shooting that took place on Middle Tennessee State University’s campus following a high school graduation, and a 17-year-old has been taken into custody.

Murfreesboro police say 18-year-old Hasani Brewer was killed in the shooting. Brewer was known to his family and those close to him as Sunny Gant; he was a 2021 graduate of Riverdale High School and former football player.

Investigators with the Murfreesboro Police Department held a press conference Thursday regarding the deadly shooting that happened on the campus of MTSU Wednesday night. At the time of the shooter’s arrest, he was reportedly in Clarksville and was taken into custody by Clarksville police just before 4:30 p.m. Thursday.

Murfreesboro police were able to secure a juvenile petition for first degree murder. The teen will appear in Rutherford County Juvenile Court. Police added he was able to flee the scene by blending in with the crowd.

Thursday morning Murfreesboro Police said it has identified a person of interest in the shooting.

On Wednesday night just before 9 p.m. police say a shooting happened as people were leaving the Riverdale High School graduation ceremony that was being held at the Murphy Center on the MTSU campus.

Two victims suffering from gunshot wounds were found near the tennis courts next to the facility. One of the victims (Gant) has died while another, identified as a 17-year-old, was taken to the hospital and is said to be in “critical but stable condition.”

Rutherford County Schools spokesperson James Evans added the 17-year-old victim in the hospital is currently a junior at Riverdale High School.

Murfreesboro police say it appears the two victims got into an argument and the fight spilled over to the tennis courts. That’s when the 17-year-old shooter took out a gun and began firing. The shooter and his two victims all knew each other, according to police.

Charges could also be pending for other known individuals and police say that part of their investigation is currently in progress.

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Evans said Riverdale High School would be closed Thursday “as a precaution.” The school said it would still be holding Thursday night’s graduation. The school system has no comment on the current investigation.

Murfreesboro police are working with Middle Tennessee State University Police, the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Department, the Tennessee Highway Patrol and the Metro Nashville Police Department.