Students at Vanderbilt University were told to shelter in place overnight after a shooting near campus sparked a police manhunt in Nashville late Thursday night.
According to police, the incident occurred near a McDonald’s restaurant on West End Avenue, prompting an emergency alert to students and a large law-enforcement response in the area. Authorities said one man was shot and transported to a hospital, where he is expected to survive.
The situation triggered safety alerts across campus as police searched for the suspect who reportedly fled toward the university area.
Shooting Reported Near West End Avenue
The shooting was reported shortly before 11 p.m. on Thursday in the 2700 block of West End Avenue, a busy corridor near Vanderbilt University and several businesses.
According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, officers arrived at the scene and found a man suffering from a gunshot wound. Emergency responders transported the victim to a nearby hospital for treatment. Authorities later confirmed the victim’s injuries were not considered life-threatening.
The exact circumstances leading up to the shooting were still under investigation.
Emergency Alerts Sent to Students
Shortly after the shooting was reported, Vanderbilt students received an emergency notification through the university’s safety alert system.
The alert stated that police were responding to a shooting near the McDonald’s at 2700 West End Avenue and warned students to avoid the area. A second alert issued minutes later advised students to shelter in place because the suspect had fled toward campus.
Authorities described the suspect as a man wearing:
- A camouflage jacket
- Blue jeans
- White tennis shoes with blue soles
Police from both Vanderbilt University and the Metro Nashville Police Department conducted searches in and around the campus area.
Police Conduct Overnight Manhunt
Law enforcement officers spent more than an hour searching the surrounding area for the suspect following the shooting.
Police canvassed nearby streets and investigated the circumstances surrounding the incident as part of the ongoing investigation. Officials also coordinated with campus police to ensure the safety of students and staff.
The manhunt caused concern among students living on or near campus as the situation unfolded late at night.
Shelter-in-Place Order Lifted
At approximately 1 a.m., authorities sent another emergency message announcing that the shelter-in-place order had been lifted.
Police said one individual connected to the incident had been detained and investigators believed the suspect had left the area. Officials also confirmed that there was no ongoing threat to the Vanderbilt community.
The investigation remains ongoing as police continue to gather evidence related to the shooting.
Ongoing Investigation
As of Friday morning, investigators were still working to determine the events that led to the shooting near Vanderbilt’s campus. Authorities have not yet released additional details about the suspect or potential charges.
Officials are encouraging anyone with information about the incident to contact local law enforcement as the investigation continues.