News Summary
An 11-year-old girl is recovering after being injured in a shooting associated with a string of retaliatory violence in Murfreesboro, Tennessee. The incidents began with gunfire outside the Abbington Apartments and escalated over consecutive days. Police have arrested six individuals and are searching for a seventh, adding to community fears regarding child safety amid increasing gun violence. Law enforcement continues to investigate the ongoing conflicts between local youth and has emphasized the need for community involvement in curtailing such violence.
Murfreesboro, Tennessee – An 11-year-old girl has been injured in a shooting linked to a series of violent retaliatory incidents in the city, leading to the arrests of six individuals and an ongoing search for a seventh suspect. The Murfreesboro Police Department has reported that the recent wave of violence appears to stem from conflicts between groups of young people.
The first incident of this violent cycle occurred outside the Abbington Apartments on Bradyville Pike on June 22, 2025. Gunfire erupted around 10:05 a.m., with multiple rounds fired from a blue Volkswagen sedan, which led to gunfire striking two residential apartment units. Fortunately, no injuries were reported in this initial incident. Utilizing advanced technology from its Real Time Crime Center (RTCC), including gunshot detection sensors and license plate readers, police were able to identify the suspect vehicle involved in the shooting.
Following the identification of the Volkswagen sedan, authorities located three suspects at the nearby Chariot Pointe Apartments. Among those apprehended was 20-year-old Kevin Hatter, who faces multiple charges, including reckless endangerment and vandalism. Hatter is currently being held on a $63,500 bond. In addition, two 16-year-old males were also arrested; although one attempted to evade capture, he was quickly detained. These minors were processed and subsequently released from custody at the Rutherford County Juvenile Detention Center.
The situation escalated on June 23, when the intended targets of the previous shooting retaliated by allegedly firing shots at a group of mini-bike riders on Greenland Avenue. No injuries were reported during this exchange. In connection to this retaliation, two suspects, 19-year-old Ke’Marion Bass and 18-year-old Kameron Dunnaway, have been charged with felony reckless endangerment and felony vandalism.
Following this violent back-and-forth, 19-year-old Benjamin Hicks targeted Bass and Dunnaway at the Green Meadows Apartments. During this incident, an errant bullet struck the 11-year-old girl while she was inside her bedroom. The full extent of her injuries remains undisclosed at this time, but the situation has raised significant concerns within the community regarding child safety amidst ongoing gun violence.
In light of Hicks’ actions, he has been charged with attempted first-degree murder and reckless endangerment and is currently held on a $1 million bond. Authorities are now searching for 19-year-old Ny’Esha Lawrence, who is suspected to be involved in this series of violent retaliatory actions and has not yet been apprehended. The police department is asking the public for assistance and urges anyone with information regarding Lawrence’s location to come forward and contact Murfreesboro Police or Crime Stoppers.
This series of incidents has alarmed local residents and law enforcement, as the continuous cycle of violence presents a significant challenge to community safety. The police department is actively investigating the events, maintaining a heightened presence in impacted areas, and are committed to responding effectively to this troubling escalation in violent offenses.
As the investigation continues, the Murfreesboro Police remain vigilant in their efforts to bring all responsible individuals to justice and restore peace to the community. They emphasize the importance of community involvement in addressing and curtailing youth violence, as the repercussions of these shootings have affected not just the individuals involved but also innocent victims like the injured young girl.
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Additional Resources
- WGNS Radio
- Google Search: Murfreesboro shootings
- WKRN News
- Wikipedia: Murfreesboro, Tennessee
- WSMV News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Murfreesboro
- Fox 17 News
- Google Scholar: Murfreesboro crime
- News Channel 5
- Google News: Murfreesboro police
Author: HERE Nashville
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