We define “mass shootings” as any shooting where four or more people are shot.  Although there is a tendency to think of mass shootings as a “deranged” gunman or terrorist, the reality is those types of shooting events are rare. Mass shootings are actually relatively common and almost all involve individuals who have a prior relationship to one another.  Many of them stem from fights or are the result of a domestic altercations.  The majority of mass shootings do not occur in “gun-free zones.” To the contrary, most occur places where guns can legally be carried.

Using data from The Gun Violence Archive and news alerts, we track all mass shootings that occur in Tennessee.

Total 2020 Tennessee mass shootings to-date: 11
Total number injured: 48
Total number killed: 4
Mass shootings in known and posted “gun-free zones”: 0

2019 Incidents – Total incidents 7  |  Total Number Shot: 36  |  Number Injured: 33  |  Number killed: 3  | Incidents in posted “gun free zones”: 0
2018 Incidents – Total Incidents 14 | Total Number Shot: 69 | Number Injured: 51 |  Number Killed: 18  |  Incidents in posted “gun-free zones”: 1* 1 (One occurred at a Waffle House which prohibits guns, but two of the victims were fatally shot in the parking lot)
2017 Incidents – Total Incidents 15 | Total Number Shot: 73 | Number Injured: 64 |  Number Killed: 9  |  Incidents in posted “gun-free zones”: 0

*The mass shooting on April 22, 2018 occurred at a Waffle House. The restaurant prohibits guns, but two of the victims were fatally shot in the parking lot.

February 15, 2020 – Memphis
Gun free zone? No
Total number shot: 7
Total number injured: 7
Total number killed: 0
A victim told police that they were racing vehicles when unknown suspects started firing shots. The shooting appears to have stemmed from an argument. All seven victims were transported to the hospital. None of the injuries were life-threatening. Police are investigating.
https://www.wmcactionnews5.com/2020/02/16/critically-injured-after-shots-fired-during-street-race-police-say/

January 19, 2020 – Memphis
Gun free zone? No
Total number shot: 5
Total number injured: 4
Total number killed: 1
This is the first mass shooting in Tennessee this year. Like most mass shootings, it occurred in a location where guns can be carried and appears to be the result of some type of argument or altercation.
https://www.localmemphis.com/crime/5-shot-1-fatally-at-memphis-nightclub-early-sunday-morning/

November 10, 2019 – Memphis
Gun free zone? No
Total number shot: 5
Total number injured: 4
Total number killed: 1
A woman was killed and four other people were injured in a shooting at a strip club. Two male victims were in critical condition at a Memphis hospital while two other male victims had injuries that were not life threatening.
https://fox17.com/news/local/1-killed-4-wounded-in-shooting-at-tennessee-strip-club

August 4, 2019 – Memphis
Gun free zone? No
Total number shot: 4
Total number injured: 3
Total number killed: 1
One man is dead and three others injured after an early Sunday shooting. No suspect information was provided, police said. Authorities have not identified the victims.
https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/crime/2019/08/04/memphis-shooting-4-shot-1-dead-near-east-shelby-drive/1915148001/

June 17, 2019 – Memphis
Gun free zone? No
Total number shot: 5
Total number injured: 5
Total number killed: 0
Memphis police say at least five people were shot in Raleigh at an apartment complex. Police say a second nearby location is tied to the shooting.
https://wreg.com/2019/06/18/several-people-in-hospital-after-raleigh-shooting/

June 9, 2019 – Henning
Gun free zone? No
Total number shot: 4
Total number injured: 3
Total number killed: 1
One person is dead and three others injured after being shot at a bar in Lauderdale County. The shooting happened around 1 a.m. at David’s Bar & Grill on N. Main in Henning.
https://www.localmemphis.com/news/local-news/one-dead-three-injured-in-shooting-at-lauderdale-county-bar/2064659156

April 28, 2019 – Nashville
Gun free zone? No
Total number shot: 7
Total number injured: 7
Total number killed: 0
Seven people were shot at a house party in North Nashville. Six women and one man, ages 19-22, were injured in the shooting, which took place in the backyard of the home.
https://www.wsmv.com/news/seven-people-shot-at-north-nashville-house-party/article_5d2186ec-69d2-11e9-95b4-df2635b95281.html

April 20, 2019 – Memphis
Gun free zone? No
Total number shot: 7
Total number injured: 7
Total number killed: 0
A fight led to a shooting in a Memphis neighborhood. When officers arrived on the scene, they located four men and a 16-year-old boy with injuries from a shooting. Two other victims later drove themselves to the hospital. Olivia Johnson, 26, was arrested and charged with four counts of aggravated assault in connection with the shooting.
https://www.fox13memphis.com/top-stories/suspect-identified-after-6-adults-and-16-year-old-shot-police-say/942001228

February 20, 2019 – Covington
Gun free zone? No
Total number shot: 4
Total number injured: 4
Total number killed: 0
Someone with a rifle and handgun fired more than 40 shots into a home in Covington. Some of the bullets went through a house next door. Three men and a 14-year-old boy were hit by bullets and injured. Police are searching for the shooter(s).
https://www.localmemphis.com/news/local-news/search-underway-for-gunmen-after-four-people-were-shot-injured-in-covington/1799429945

November 26, 2018 – Powell
Gun free zone? No
Total number shot: 4
Total number injured: 4
Total number killed: 0
Two 18-year-olds opened fire in a home, injuring four juveniles. Both 18-year-olds were charged with four counts of attempted second-degree murder, one count of possessing a firearm during the commission or attempt to commit a dangerous felony.
https://www.wate.com/news/local-news/18-year-old-shooting-suspect-arrested-by-kcso/1627951142

November 10, 2018 – Memphis
Gun free zone? No
Total number shot: 6
Total number injured: 4
Total number killed: 2
Two people were killed and four others injured in a shooting in Memphis, Tennessee, that may have stemmed from a gambling feud. The shooting took place at a residence. The fatalities were 18 and 22.  The ages of the other victims ranged from 13 to 21 and their conditions ranged from serious to critical.
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/crime-courts/six-shot-two-dead-possible-gambling-feud-memphis-tennessee-n934886

October 15, 2018 – Columbia
Gun free zone? No
Total number shot: 5
Total number injured: 0
Total number killed: 5
A mother fatally shot her four children and then turned the gun on herself.
https://www.wsmv.com/news/five-dead-including-four-children-in-apparent-murder-suicide-in/article_ef9b8a02-d0e1-11e8-8089-0bf5e5aa1e86.html

September 24, 2018 – Memphis
Gun free zone? No
Total number shot: 5
Total number injured: 3
Total number killed: 2
Five people were shot at an apartment complex following an argument between two groups. According to police, this incident stemmed from an argument between two groups that escalated to violence.
https://www.fox13memphis.com/top-stories/3-people-killed-after-shooting-at-memphis-apartment-complex/840779230

September 10, 2018 – Memphis
Gun free zone? Unclear
Total number shot: 4
Total number injured: 4
Total number killed: 0
A gunman opened fire inside a Memphis nightclub after a fight broke out. Four people were shot and more were injured as they to escape the gunfire. Two of those injured were shot multiple times and were listed in critical condition. One of those injured was a security guard. The suspect is still at large. A warrant for his arrest has been issues for aggravated assault and reckless endangerment.
https://wreg.com/2018/09/10/multiple-people-shot-at-memphis-nightclub/

August 25, 2018 – Nashville
Gun free zone? No
Total number shot: 5
Total number injured: 4
Total number killed: 1
A 23-year-old man who was celebrating his birthday with friends was shot outside his home. He did not survive. Four other men, ranging in age from 18 to 32, were also shot. The two gunmen are still at large.
https://www.tennessean.com/story/news/crime/2018/08/26/run-otr-police-searching-two-suspects-north-nashville-shooting/1103964002/

August 21, 2018 – Memphis
Gun free zone? No
Total number shot: 4
Total number injured: 4
Total number killed: 0
Multiple people were shot in a residential area. One of the victims was a pregnant woman who had to undergo an emergency c-section. Witnesses report that the shooting stemmed from an argument. In addition to the four people who were injured, two others were injured by broken glass.
http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/38933729/3-critically-injured-in-alcy-rd-shooting

August 20, 2018 – Jackson
Gun free zone? No
Total number shot: 5
Total number injured: 4
Total number killed: 1
Jackson, Tennessee police are investigating after they say five people were shot early Monday morning at Cody’s Saloon & Dance Hall. One of the victims, 20-year-old Brandon Watkins, died from his injuries. Police have not said what led to the shooting.
https://www.localmemphis.com/news/local-news/five-people-shot-early-monday-morning-at-jackson-tennessee-bar/1382996398

July 15, 2018 – Chattanooga
Gun free zone? No
Total number shot: 5
Total number injured: 5
Total number killed: 0
Mass shooting in the parking lot of a Chattanooga bar leaves five people wounded. The victims are between the ages of 21 and 32. No arrests have been made and the shooting remains under investigation. This is the second mass shooting in Tennessee in less than a week.
https://www.fox13memphis.com/news/tennessee/5-wounded-in-parking-lot-shooting-in-chattanooga-tennessee/790429266

July 12, 2018 – Memphis
Gun free zone? No
Total number shot: 5
Total number injured: 5
Total number killed: 0
Five people were shot while they played basketball near a community center in Raleigh. Investigators said the shooting was a retaliation stemming from a dice game that took place earlier in the day.
http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/38637654/4-shot-outside-raleigh-basketball-court

July 8, 2018 – Memphis
Gun free zone? No
Total number shot: 4
Total number injured: 4
Total number killed: 0
A mass shooting in Memphis last night left four people injured. The incident took place near the area of Mt. Moriah and South Mendenhall roads. The suspect was last seen in a gray or blue Infiniti driving southbound on Perkins Road.
http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/38596933/4-injured-in-mt-moriah-shooting

May 6, 2018 – Memphis
Gun free zone? No
Total number shot: 6
Total number injured: 4
Total number killed: 2
Six people were shot near Crosstown Concourse on Sunday night. Two of the victims died from their injuries and four were taken to Regional Medical Center. All four are in critical condition. One of the victims who’s in critical condition is 14 years old. MPD said all six victims were in the same vehicle when the shooting happened. Witnesses said they heard about 13 gunshots in the area.
http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/38124970/multiple-people-shot-near-crosstown-concourse

April 29, 2018 – Wartburg
Four people were hurt and one person was being detained after a shooting at a Wartburg apartment complex.  Two of the victims were treated and released while two remained in the hospital.  Authorities have not released the identifies of the victims or information on a possible motive.
Gun free zone? No
Total number shot: 4
Total number injured: 4
Total number killed: 0
https://www.knoxnews.com/story/news/crime/2018/04/29/morgan-county-dispatch-shooting-multiple-victims-reported-wartburg/563535002/

April 22, 2018 – Nashville
A nude man armed with an AR-15 opened fire at an Antioch Waffle House and shot multiple victims around 3:25am, killing four and wounding three. The shooter has been identified as 29-year-old Travis Reinking from Morton, Illinois. He is still at large. Metro Police have been in touch with Morton police and describe the shooter as someone with “a propensity for guns.”  This is a developing story.
Gun free zone? Waffle House does not allow guns in their store, but two victims were fatally shot in the parking lot.
Total number shot: 7
Total number injured: 3
Total number killed: 4
https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/22/us/tennessee-waffle-house-shooting/index.html

February 17, 2018 – Memphis
Four men and a woman were shot outside a Memphis nightclub.  Three of the victims were critically injured.  The shooter escaped.
Gun free zone? No
Total number shot: 5
Total number injured: 5
Total number killed: 0
https://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/crime/2018/02/17/5-people-injured-overnight-shooting-frayser/347909002/

January 12, 2018 – Nashville
A 24-year-old man shot and injured his 45-year-old step-mother and fatally shot her two daughters, an 8-year-old and 5-year-old.  He then carjacked two men and shot them both, injuring one and killing the other.  The shooter was later arrested and charged with multiple counts of murder.  He had a history of domestic abuse and was already facing an aggravated assault charge for attacking a former girlfriend.
Gun free zone? No
Total number shot: 5
Total number injured: 2
Total number killed: 3
http://wkrn.com/2018/01/12/5-year-old-8-year-old-among-victims-in-triple-murder-carjacking-in-north-nashville/

December 3, 2017 – Memphis
A fight broke out in a Memphis performance art club where no alcohol was served. Security broke up the fight and escorted the participants out of the club. As they dispersed the crowd, gunfire broke out. Three people were injured. A 26-year-old videographer and photographer who was not involved in the fight was struck by a bullet and killed.
Gun free zone? No
Total number shot: 4
Total number injured: 3
Total number killed: 1
http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/36981096/victim-identified-in-edge-district-shooting

October 21, 2017 – Nashville
Four teens were hurt in a shooting in Edgehill public housing. Police officers said the teens were hurt in an exchange of shots between them and other people in a car.
Gun free zone? No
Total number shot: 4
Total number injured: 4
Total number killed: 0
http://wkrn.com/2017/10/21/4-injured-in-edgehill-homes-shooting/

September 30, 2017 – Memphis
A teenager was killed and three people were injured when someone brought a gun to a fight. The teen was only 14-years-old. The shooter was a 40-year-old man who fled the scene.
Gun-free zone? No
Total number shot: 4
Total number injured: 3
Total number killed: 1
http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/36493773/1-dead-3-injured-in-south-memphis-shooting

September 29, 2017 – McNairy County
During a domestic altercation, four people were shot including the suspect. Three were injured and one died. Investigators said an extended family were living together in a home where the shooting took place.
Gun-free zone? No
Total number shot: 4
Total number injured: 3
Total number killed: 1
http://www.jacksonsun.com/story/news/crime/2017/09/29/1-killed-3-injured-mcnairy-county-shooting/716241001/

September 26, 2017 – Memphis
During a fight outside a Memphis barber shop, someone pulled a gun and shots were fired. Four people were injured, one critically.
Gun-free zone? No
Total number shot: 4
Total number injured: 3
Total number killed: 1
http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/36458731/multiple-people-injured-in-shooting-on-chelsea-ave

September 24, 2017 – Nashville
A gunman opened fire at Burnette Chapel Church of Christ as congregants gathered for worship, fatally shooting one and injuring six others.  The shooter was also injured.  No word yet on the identity of the shooter or his motivation.
Gun-free zone? Unknown
Total number shot: 8
Total number injured: 7
Total number killed: 1
http://www.tennessean.com/story/news/2017/09/24/nashville-church-shooting-what-we-know-now/698043001/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter

September 13, 2017 – Memphis
An altercation on a neighborhood street turned into a shooting when someone produced a gun. Six people were shot including 35-year-old Latonia Henneghan, a mother of four. The youngest of her children is only 7-months-old. Henneghan was not involved in the fight. Additionally, a 14-year-old was hit by a car as she tried to run from the shooting.
Gun-free zone? No
Total number shot: 6
Victims injured: 5
Victims killed: 1
http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/36364405/mother-killed-6-more-injured-after-brawl-leads-to-shooting

August 21, 2017 – Memphis
Four people were shot in a drive-by shooting on a street in Memphis. The youngest victim was a 13-year-old.
Gun-free zone? No
Total number shot: 4
Victims injured: 4
Victims killed: 0
http://www.wmcactionnews5.com/story/36185341/multiple-people-shot-in-north-memphis

June 11, 2017 – Chattanooga
In a parking lot outside The Playhouse Lounge nightclub, a shooter opened fire and shot four people in what is believed to be a gang-related shooting. Two of the victims were 18-year-olds.
Gun-free zone? No
Total number shot: 4
Victims injured: 4
Victims killed: 0
http://www.chattanoogan.com/2017/6/11/349613/4-People-Injured-In-Drive-By-Shooting.aspx

June 10, 2017 – Memphis
Four people were shot during a party at a Memphis apartment complex. A man was turned away from the party and opened fire. Two men and two women were injured.
Gun-free zone? No
Total number shot: 4
Victims injured: 4
Victims killed: 0
http://wreg.com/2017/06/11/at-least-3-shot-during-party-at-memphis-apartment-complex/

March 25, 2017 – Knoxville
One person was killed and four others injured after what authorities believe was a gang-related shooting. One of the victims was a 15-year-old who was shot while sitting inside his apartment.
Gun-free zone? No
Total number shot: 5
Victims injured: 4
Victims killed: 1
http://wate.com/2017/03/25/kpd-investigating-shooting-in-lonsdale-homes/

February 11, 2017 – Savannah
Four people were injured in a shooting at a large party at the Hardin County Fairgrounds.
Gun-free zone? No
Total number shot: 4
Victims injured: 4
Victims killed: 0
http://www.jacksonsun.com/story/news/crime/2017/02/12/four-shot-savannah-party/97832096/

January 31, 2017 – Memphis
A fight broke out in a Memphis bowling alley. A man, described as a regular customer, left the bowling alley during the fight, got a gun from his car, and opened fire from the front door. Four people were injured in the shooting.
Gun-free zone? No
Total number shot: 4
Victims injured: 4
Victims killed: 0
http://www.commercialappeal.com/story/news/crime/2017/02/01/four-injured-shooting-east-memphis-bowling-alley/97337470/

January 27, 2017 – Brownsville
Ten people were inured when a fight broke out at a high school party at the National Guard Armory. Shots were fired and ten people were injured. Two of the victims were minors.
Gun-free zone? Unclear
Total number shot: 10
Victims injured: 10
Victims killed: 0
http://wreg.com/2017/01/28/10-teens-injured-in-brownsville-shooting-at-national-guard-armory/

January 21, 2017 – Memphis
Two people were killed and two were injured when four men in a car opened fire on another group of men. Police believe the victims knew the suspects.
Gun-free zone? No
Total number shot: 4
Victims injured: 2
Victims killed: 2
http://wreg.com/2017/01/21/2-dead-2-hurt-after-whitehaven-drive-by-shooting/