8-year-old dies after accidental shooting in East Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) responded to a shooting call involving children on Saturday night.

MNPD responded to the scene in the 1200 block of North 2nd Street just after 9 p.m. According to police, an 8-year-old and 10-year-old found a shotgun in an attic while a 16-year-old was asleep.

They reportedly did not know the gun was loaded. Police said the 8-year-old was playing with it when he shot himself in the face. The child —later identified as Phillip’e Woodard — was transported to Vanderbilt Pediatrics where he died.

According to the MNPD, this is the third accidental death of a child from a firearm in 2024. Free gun locks remain available at MNPD headquarters and all eight precincts. A full list of locations offering free cable locks in Tennessee can be found here .

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