Police ID victim, arrest teen in shooting after Riverdale High graduation on MTSU campus

A teen is dead and another is in critical but stable condition after a shooting Wednesday night outside Middle Tennessee State University's Murphy Center, officials said.

The Murfreesboro Police Department identified the teen killed as 18-year-old Hasani Brewer, a 2021 Riverdale High graduate. Police also arrested a 17-year-old former student in connection with the crime. The teen was taken into custody in Clarksville on Thursday and faces a first-degree murder charge in juvenile court, police said.

Brewer, who was known as Sunny Gant, and a 17-year-old Riverdale High junior were  both shot. Officials declined to name the 17-year-old victim and the 17-year-old arrested because they are minors.

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The shooting occurred shortly before 9 p.m. near the tennis courts next to the Murphy Center. It happened as people left the Riverdale High School graduation being hosted on campus, MPD said.

The university posted on social media and sent alerts to students around 9:15 p.m. Wednesday warning people to leave Murphy Center immediately and shelter in place if unable to leave the area safely.

Goodwin called the shooting "a tragedy for our community" during the Wednesday night briefing.

"We mourn with the family who lost a loved one and the victim who was injured," he said.

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Investigation underway; Riverdale HS closed; MTSU resumes classes

Rutherford County Schools spokesman James Evans said Riverdale High would be closed through the week. Counselors will be available to students when classes return. Around 450 students were set to graduate at the Wednesday night ceremony and several hundred family members were in attendance, Evans said.

MTSU started summer classes on campus Monday, about a week-and-a-half after graduation. The majority of students have departed for summer break.

"The threat no longer appears to exist on campus, and it is safe to resume normal activities," MTSU Police said in a tweet early Thursday morning. "The investigation remains active."

Rutherford County Schools shared a message on Twitter with parents, students and community members Thursday morning.

"We greatly appreciate the outpouring of support for Riverdale concerning the shooting that occurred after graduation last night," the tweet said. "We are working closely (with) law enforcement agencies which will release updates as the investigation continues."

MTSU also released a statement Thursday morning.

"Our hearts go out to the Riverdale students, faculty and family members affected by Wednesday night’s tragedy," the statement said. "MTSU has offered support to Murfreesboro Police and other law enforcement agencies in their investigation. This was not an MTSU event, as Murphy Center is rented by Rutherford County Schools for its high school commencements, and we are not aware of any involvement or connection in the incident by members of the MTSU community. We will work closely with the school system regarding their needs for tonight’s ceremony for Blackman High School."

MPD teamed up with MTSU Police, the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office and the Tennessee Highway Patrol to investigate.

Reach reporter Kirsten Fiscus at 615-259-8229 or KFiscus@gannett.com or follow her on Twitter @KDFiscus.

Reach reporter Nancy DeGennaro at degennaro@dnj.com or follow her on Twitter @NanDegennaro. 

Reach reporter Rachel Wegner at RAwegner@tennessean.com or follow her on Twitter @RachelAnnWegner.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Riverdale High graduation shooting: Police ID victim, arrest teen