Tennessee Teen Fatally Shot Day After High School Graduation
A Tennessee teen, Lily Basil, whose "smile lit up every room she entered," was fatally shot on Saturday night, just one day after celebrating her high school graduation. The suspected shooter claimed he did not know the gun was loaded.
Eighteen-year-old Lily Basil was struck in the right shoulder by a bullet from a rifle and rushed to Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, where she was pronounced dead, according to WSMV.
The suspected shooter, Matthew Roufail, also 18, arrived at Williamson County Medical Center, mistakenly believing it was where Basil had been taken. Police met him there, and he was held for questioning and charged with criminal homicide for Basil’s death, WZTV reported, citing a police affidavit.
“Police have arrested Matthew Roufail, 18. He’s charged with criminal homicide. His bond is set at $150,000,” the Franklin police announced on Sunday. “Police believe this was an isolated incident. The investigation is ongoing.” Roufail allegedly admitted to shooting Basil, claiming the tragedy was unintentional and that he believed the AR-15-style rifle was unloaded.
A witness who attempted to drive Basil to the hospital told police he saw Roufail shoot her with a .22-caliber rifle. The rifle had been in the trunk of the witness’s car when the teens were hanging out.
Police have not disclosed how Basil and Roufail knew each other. Basil graduated from Page High School in Franklin, Tennessee, on Friday, while Roufail had his commencement ceremony from Ravenwood High School, located 10 miles away, on the same day, according to the Williamson Herald.
“The Page High family mourns the loss of 2024 graduate Lily Basil. Lily was a light; she was kind, sweet, and extremely respectful. Her smile lit up every room she entered,” school principal Katie Hill said in a statement. “Though she was newer to the Page community, she quickly embraced the Patriot spirit and was a friend to everyone she met. Page faculty, staff, and students will dearly miss Lily, and we are committed to honoring her memory by sharing her light.”
Roufail was released on bond on Tuesday, according to WKRN.
Several memorials are scheduled to honor Basil, and her funeral is planned for Friday morning. In addition to the services, community members are asked to shine a light on Friday at sunset as part of Page High School’s “Light the Night Memorial: Honoring the Life and Legacy of Lily Basil.”
“Help us honor Lily and celebrate the light she brought to our lives by lighting a candle, a luminary, or by turning on a porch light that evening,” Hill said.
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