Teen shot, killed day after graduating high school
He admitted to police he shot Basil but that he thought the AR-15-style rifle was unloaded, police said.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - An 18-year-old boy was arrested and charged with criminal homicide after he allegedly shot and killed a recent high school graduate with an AR-15-style rifle he thought was unloaded, according to an arrest affidavit.
On May 25, the Franklin Police Department was called to a shooting at 1417 Hanson Drive. A 911 caller said he was taking a victim, identified as 18-year-old Lily Basil, to the hospital for a gunshot wound to the right shoulder, according to the arrest report.
Dispatch told the person taking Basil to the hospital to pull over on the side of the road for EMS assistance at Murfreesboro Road near Carothers Parkway.
EMS took Basil to Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, where she later died.
Detectives at 1417 Hanson Drive learned that the shooter was possibly Matthew Roufail. They were told Roufail left the scene to go to the hospital, according to the report.
Roufail was taken in for questioning. He later told police he shot Basil, but it wasn’t intentional.
He thought the AR-15-style rifle was unloaded, police said.
Page High School Principal Dr. Katie Hill issued the following statement regarding Basil’s death. She graduated on May 24, just a day before being shot and killed.
“The Page High family mourns the loss of 2024 graduate Lily Basil. Lily was a light; she was kind, sweet and extremely respectful. Her smile lit up every room she entered. Though she was newer to the Page community, she quickly embraced the Patriot spirit and was a friend to everyone she met. Page faculty, staff and students will dearly miss Lily, and we are committed to honoring her memory by sharing her light.”
Basil’s family has asked the school to share arrangements for her celebration of life. They will have a ceremony at Rolling Hills Church, Friday, May 31, at 11:30 a.m.
In addition, Page High is inviting everyone in the community to participate in a “Light the Night Memorial: Honoring the Life and Legacy of Lily Basil” on Friday, May 31 at sunset. The memorial will not be held at the high school.
“Help us honor Lily and celebrate the light she brought to our lives by lighting a candle, a luminary or by turning on a porch light that evening,” Hill said.
Page High School has communicated with students and staff to let them know that counselors are available this week for anyone who may need them for support.
Roufail was arrested has since been released on a $150,000 bond.
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