In the East Nashville Cayce Homes neighborhood on May 19, 2017, Travis Rosemond, a 26-year-old African American male, was visiting a friend when a violent exchange of gunfire erupted. The incident, which occurred around 1:15 p.m. in the 600 block of South 8th Street, would ultimately claim his life. Multiple weapons were fired during the shootout, leaving the precise sequence of events unclear to investigators initially.
When Metro Nashville Police arrived at the scene, they discovered
Rosemond in the front passenger seat of a Buick Century. He had sustained a fatal gunshot wound and was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he later died. Near his feet in the vehicle, officers found a. 38 caliber revolver.
The investigation quickly led to the identification of two suspects: 20-year-old Montel Sowell and 14-year-old Mario Woodard. Both had also been injured in the gunfight. Sowell was struck in the abdomen and collapsed a short distance from the scene, while Woodard suffered a wound to his arm and fled into a nearby apartment. Surveillance footage captured Sowell tossing a handgun to another young man, who then fled.
Following the incident, both Sowell and Woodard were charged with criminal homicide in connection with Rosemond's death. Sowell was slated to be formally charged upon his release from Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he was treated for his injuries. Woodard, due to his age, was charged in juvenile court. The motive for the deadly exchange of gunfire was not immediately determined as the investigation continued.
