Following the accidental shooting death of 8-year-old Phillip’e Woodard on Sept. 14, Metro Nashville Police Department Chief John Drake is calling on Nashvillians to utilize free local gun safety resources.
An ongoing MNPD investigation revealed that Phillip’e was left alone with his 10-year-old brother and a 16-year-old family friend at a relative’s house. Phillip’e was reportedly playing with a loaded gun before it went off.
“Tragedies like this need not happen,” says Drake in a video posted to MNPD’s social media pages.
Drake goes on to remind Nashville residents that free gun locks are available at all police precincts, in the MNPD headquarters’ lobby and the Madison Records Division Counter. He also notes MNPD’s gun retrieval program for those who wish to surrender unwanted guns. Through the program, people can anonymously give up firearms at one of several churches throughout Nashville, with the guns then handed over to MNPD. More information about the gun retrieval program and participating locations can be found on MNPD’s website.
Unable to rely on lawmakers to regulate guns, some Tennesseans have decided to risk gun ownership
Phillip’e is the fourth child to die from an accidental firearm death in Nashville this year. While those four deaths aren’t considered homicides, an MNPD representative tells the Scene that an additional 11 people under the age of 18 have been the victims of fatal shootings this year. In total, there have been 71 homicides in the city, 64 of which are from shootings.
A candlelight vigil organized by the Tennessee Hispanic Action Network will be held on the Metro Courthouse steps at 6 p.m. Friday. The vigil is being held in honor of victims of gun violence, including 18-year-old Yasser Paz, who was shot and killed outside of a nightclub earlier this month. Paz’s family held a press conference Friday asking for help identifying the shooter.
