Metro Schools is stepping up security at graduation ceremonies Tuesday night and through the end of the week. Last night Maplewood High School’s commencement ended with gunfire and the death of a 21-year-old man.
Doctors pronounced Andreus Taylor dead at Centennial Medical Center soon after the shooting in Tennessee State University’s Gentry Center. Metro Nashville Public Schools security chief Ralph Thompson says he believes the incident was gang-related.
“It just happened to have been at a graduation. A couple of rivals met and unfortunately it was not a good outcome.”
The victim was a former student. Police are questioning suspects.
The shooter opened fire in the Gentry Center after 215 seniors from Maplewood received diplomas. Seven police officers were inside the arena and several more in a nearby parking lot. School officials say undercover officers will be in the crowd at Pearl Cohn High School’s graduation tonight and all guests will pass through metal detectors.
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