Murfreesboro law enforcement make arrest following MTSU campus shooting, identify victim

Murfreesboro officials identified the victim in a deadly shooting on Middle Tennessee State University's campus as 18-year-old Hasani Brewer, a 2021 Riverdale High graduate, and arrested a former student in connection with the crime.

Brewer, who was known as Sunny Gant, and a 17-year-old Riverdale High junior were shot Wednesday outside MTSU's Murphy Center where Riverdale's graduation ceremony had just concluded.

Rutherford County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Dan Goodwin reads a statement during a media conference on Wednesday evening after a shooting on the Middle Tennessee State University campus left one dead.
Rutherford County Sheriff's Office Sgt. Dan Goodwin reads a statement during a media conference on Wednesday evening after a shooting on the Middle Tennessee State University campus left one dead.

The second victim, whose identity is being shielded by police because of his age, was listed as being in critical but stable condition,  Larry Flowers, spokesman for Murfreesboro Police Department, said Thursday during a news conference.

Related: 1 dead, 1 hurt in shooting after Riverdale High graduation on MTSU campus, police say

Flowers said a 17-year-old, whose identity is also being shielded because of his age, was taken into custody in Clarksville Thursday. He's facing a first-degree murder charge in juvenile court.

"Now the community can rest assured knowing we've got this criminal off the streets," Flowers said.

The shooting occurred shortly before 9 p.m. near the tennis courts next to the Murphy Center. The university sent a notice to anyone on campus that they should avoid the area around the Murphy Center or shelter in place if unable to leave safely.

Flowers said an argument began between the parties before the teen pulled out a gun and began shooting. He then slipped out, undetected, amongst the panicked crowd, Flowers said.

A shooting occurred on the Middle Tennessee State University campus Wednesday evening, following the Riverdale High School graduation, leaving one dead and one in critical condition.
A shooting occurred on the Middle Tennessee State University campus Wednesday evening, following the Riverdale High School graduation, leaving one dead and one in critical condition.

Police blocked off access to campus and a helicopter circled overhead as law enforcement searched for a suspect for hours after the shooting was first reported.

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

Rutherford County Schools spokesman James Evans said Brewer is a graduate of Riverdale and the 17-year-old suspect is a former student.

Evans said Riverdale High's classes were canceled until Monday.

Murfreesboro police is leading the investigation and working with MTSU Police, the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office and the Tennessee Highway Patrol to investigate the shooter.

Contact Tennessean reporter Kirsten Fiscus at 615-259-8229 or KFiscus@gannett.com. Follow her on Twitter @KDFiscus.

This article originally appeared on Murfreesboro Daily News Journal: MTSU shooting victim identified, 17-year-old charged