NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) -- A deadly Wednesday night shooting involving teenagers at a Bellevue park has prompted calls for change from the community and city leaders.
Frantic 911 calls shed light on the double shooting that killed 13-year-old Aayden Hayes and wounded his 16-year-old sister at Red Caboose Park on Wednesday, May 29.
"There were just gunshots at the park, and there were kids running and screaming from the park," a caller told the operator as she grasped for breath.
From witnesses to neighbors and city leaders, this tragedy has stayed at the top of their minds.
"Middle schoolers, so it's just mind blowing," Lauren Monroe told News 2 while visiting a growing memorial at the park.
"It is impossible to imagine something at a playground, at a park, resulting in a gun being involved," Nashville Mayor Freddie O'Connell said during his regular roundtable meeting.
After officers found Aayden on the parking lot pavement with multiple gunshot wounds Wednesday night, he was rushed to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Meanwhile, his sister made it to the fire station next to the park, where she received emergency medical care and was brought to the hospital, according to authorities.
As the father of a 13-year-old himself, O'Connell said community members are obligated to do better moving forward.
"We're continuing to refine both traditional policing and community safety initiatives to try to ensure that Nashvillians both are safe and feel safe," he said.
According to O'Connell, city officials will continue to invest in strategies to reduce gun violence while working with first responders, Metro Nashville Public Schools, and community partners to keep making data-based decisions that drive their targeted approaches. He hopes initiatives to expand youth opportunities to keep kids from getting involved in cycles of violence will help curb the problem.
The mayor added that cameras can help, pointing out there are 316 across Metro parks. Following the shooting, a sky cop camera reportedly was installed at Red Caboose Park.
"We've got a few things in place in addition to the cameras," O'Connell stated while highlighting success in urban parks by enforcing codes of conduct; operating hours; and, in some cases, additional fencing to prevent drive-ins after park closures.
On Friday, May 31, a steady flow of people continued adding to a memorial at the Bellevue park, which now features flowers, balloons, candy, and a red cleat.
"I saw the football cleat, and when a young athlete goes, it's akways sad because you never know what their potential could be in the future," Daniel Key said as he teared up.
The mother of the shooting victims told News 2 that not only did Aayden love candy, but the cleat is one he lost at school last season, offering a glimpse into how the teen is being remembered by his peers. She added that her 16-year-old daughter was going in for surgery at Vanderbilt Friday afternoon.
According to officials, 15-year-old De’Anthony Osasosifo — who matched the description of the shooting suspect provided by witnesses — was found walking on Highway 70, less than half a mile from the park, and detained. During an interview at MNPD headquarters, Osasosifo reportedly admitted to shooting a gun during a fight among teens at the park.
Police told News 2 Friday that Osasosifo is still under medical care, adding that he's being "evaluated" outside of the county, even though he's not physically injured. The 15-year-old is expected to be charged with criminal homicide and attempted criminal homicide in juvenile court.