A Tennessee State University student has died after he was found suffering from a gunshot wound in a dorm Sunday.
Metro Nashville Police have identified the victim as 19-year-old Rickey B. Scott.
Campus police were alerted to a student found unconscious in a walkway at Watson Hall around noon, the Tennessean reports. Metro Police Captain Tommy Widener said the student had been shot in the abdomen.
“It is not known at this juncture how he sustained the (gunshot wound) to his person and the investigation is ongoing,” Widener said.
According to a news release, Metro police did not become involved in the case until after a significant delay.
Spokesman Don Aaron said just after 1 p.m., Metro police were informed a victim had been transported from TSU to Tristar Centennial Hospital with what was described as a non-trauma related medical issue. It wasn’t until Scott arrived at the hospital that it was discovered he had been shot.
Scott was then transported to Skyline Medical Center where he died from his injuries.
Police believe Scott was shot around 11 a.m. Sunday. Detectives conducted interviews on Sunday and Monday and reviewed surveillance footage. There were no reports of a shooting or suspicious activity on campus, according to authorities.
Detectives classified the shooting as a homicide Monday following autopsy results. Both TSU police and Metro police are working to determine where the shooting took place. Police executed a search warrant Sunday in the dorm but no weapon was recovered.
Friends and family attended a vigil on campus Monday night to remember Scott, according to WSMV.
“When we were on the campus, all the kids said he made their day better. He always spoke and was kind and happy,” said Rico Scott, Rickey’s uncle. “Love your brother. Love that person next to you. Stay away from this gun violence.”
Anyone with information about the active investigation is urged to contact Nashville Crime Stoppers at 615-74-CRIME.
