At a Glance
- Andre Bell, 20, was fatally shot while driving on I-65 north at the I-40 interchange.
- The Fisk University basketball player died Monday at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
- Police say a dark sedan pulled alongside his white Nissan Sentra and opened fire.
- Why it matters: A volunteer student-athlete lost his life in an unsolved highway shooting, leaving campus and family grieving.
A 20-year-old college basketball player died after being shot on a Nashville highway Sunday night, police and university officials confirmed.
Andre Bell, a sophomore Business Administration major and forward for the Fisk University basketball team, was driving back to campus with two friends when gunfire erupted on I-65 north at the I-40 interchange. He succumbed to a gunshot wound to the head at Vanderbilt University Medical Center on Monday, Jan. 12, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department reported.
The Shooting
According to the MNPD, the sequence began after Bell and his companions volunteered at a Fisk gymnastics meet held at the Nashville Fairgrounds. They left the event and entered the interstate in Bell’s white Nissan Sentra around 10 p.m. Sunday.
Both passengers told detectives they noticed a dark sedan traveling in the left lane beside them. Distracted by their cellphones, they heard multiple gunshots and realized Bell had been struck.
- The Sentra slowed, spun into traffic, and collided with a red pickup truck.
- The dark sedan fled the scene without stopping.
- Shattered glass found on the pavement indicates the shooter’s vehicle likely has windshield damage.
Investigators have not established a motive. “The motive is undetermined at present,” police said.
Campus Reaction
Fisk University issued a statement confirming Bell’s identity and academic standing. Athletics Director Valencia Jordan described the program as “absolutely devastated.”
> “Our Fisk Athletics family is absolutely devastated by the news that one of our own has been taken from us in a senseless act of violence,” Jordan wrote. “Andre was headed back to campus after volunteering to help with our Fisk University gymnastics meet when this tragic incident occurred.”
Jordan added that counseling is being provided to student-athletes and pledged ongoing support for Bell’s relatives. “Our hearts go out to his family at this most difficult time. We will stand with them and support them in every way possible. We are a family that learns, loves, plays, and prays together and will continue to do so.”
Head men’s basketball coach Jeremiah Crutcher remembered Bell as both a competitor and a mentor to younger children in Nashville.
> “Today, we lost a leader on and off the basketball court. Andre ‘Dre,’ a young, bright, and gentle young man, was unfairly snatched from this world,” Crutcher wrote. “While Dre was a dominant force on the court, he was most remembered for his infectious smile, loving personality, and unique ability to always bring warmth to a room. We now have a deep absence in our program, but more importantly, we have a deep pain in our hearts. He will be truly missed. Our thoughts and unwavering prayers are with his family and the little kids in his family and in Nashville who looked up to him.”
Investigation Status
The MNPD Homicide Unit is leading the inquiry. Detectives are requesting assistance from anyone who:
- Spotted a dark sedan on I-65 near the I-40 split around 10 p.m. Sunday.
- Has dash-cam footage from the area between 9:45 p.m. and 10:15 p.m.
- Knows the identity of the sedan’s occupants.
Tipsters can call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463, remain anonymous, and qualify for a cash reward.
News Of Losangeles has reached out to the MNPD for additional comment; no further details have been released.
Key Takeaways
- A promising student-athlete lost his life in an apparently random highway shooting.
- Police have evidence the suspect vehicle sustained windshield damage.
- The university community is mourning and offering counseling.
- Authorities urge anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers immediately.
