On a Saturday afternoon in Nashville, 26-year-old Stephen Rouse III was a passenger in an Uber, traveling on Interstate 65 North. What began as a routine rideshare quickly escalated into a targeted act of violence that would end Rouse's life. The Uber driver later recounted to detectives the unsettling moments leading up to the shooting.
Shortly before 3 p.m., the driver picked up Rouse from a Citi Trends store on Clarksville Pike.
As they departed, the driver noticed a white Nissan Maxima with its headlights on parked outside the store. This same vehicle proceeded to follow them onto Rosa Parks Boulevard and then onto the interstate. As the two vehicles neared the I-65/I-24 split, the Nissan Maxima pulled up alongside the Uber.
Without warning, shots were fired from the Maxima directly into the back seat where Rouse was sitting. The assailant's vehicle then sped away, taking the I-24 west exit, while the Uber driver continued on I-65. In a desperate attempt to save his passenger, the driver rushed Rouse to Skyline Medical Center. Despite these efforts, Stephen Rouse III was pronounced dead from his injuries.
Homicide detectives with the Metro Nashville Police Department immediately began an investigation, shutting down a portion of the interstate to search for evidence at the scene. Authorities have characterized the shooting as a targeted attack. As of late 2023, the investigation was ongoing, with detectives actively pursuing leads related to the white Nissan Maxima. Law enforcement has asked for the public's assistance, offering a cash reward for any information that could lead to the identification and arrest of those responsible for Rouse's death. To date, no arrests have been publicly announced in connection with the murder of Stephen Rouse III.
