In a tragic incident in Nashville, Tennessee, 13-year-old Dearria Radley, a female, lost her life after being shot on the evening of March 23, 2024. The shooting occurred inside her family's home on Edgehill Avenue, prompting a 911 call at 9:58 p.m. First responders from the Midtown Hills Precinct arrived at the scene and provided immediate medical aid to the teenager before she was rushed to Vanderbilt's Pediatric Emergency Room.
Despite their efforts, Dearria succumbed to a single gunshot wound.
The circumstances surrounding the fatal shooting have been described as a tragic accident. Dearria's mother, DeAnn Radley, told investigators that the incident happened while she was looking for her keys inside her purse. According to her account, an unholstered. 40 caliber semi-automatic pistol she had in her purse discharged unexpectedly. The bullet traveled through the bag and struck her daughter. DeAnn Radley expressed her profound grief, stating that she was unaware the gun was loaded.
In the wake of the shooting, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department's Youth Services Division launched an investigation into the matter. While DeAnn Radley was the individual handling the firearm at the time of the incident, authorities have reported that no charges have been filed against her. The investigation is ongoing to determine the full circumstances of the accidental shooting that led to the untimely death of the teenager. The family has since been mourning the loss of a girl remembered for her love of singing. A GoFundMe campaign was also initiated to help with funeral expenses.
