UPDATED: MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (Release from MPD) — Detectives with the Murfreesboro Police Department’s Violent Crimes Unit arrested a man accused of opening fire into a crowd during a reunion at Old Fort Park on Saturday, Sept. 13.
Police identified Tavarious Chambers as the shooter. He was located shortly after the shooting and taken into custody at an apartment on Hazelwood Drive. Detectives charged Chambers with six counts of attempted first-degree murder and tampering with evidence.
According to the preliminary investigation, the reunion event was ending when Chambers arrived at the Park Pavilion dressed in black and wearing a ski mask. He began firing multiple rounds in the direction of four adults and two small children. Two people were struck by gunfire. One of the victims fired back in self-defense.
Emergency crews treated a woman at the scene for a gunshot wound to the leg. Rutherford County EMS later transported her to a hospital. She's in stable condition. A man who was shot in the torso was taken to the hospital in a private vehicle and underwent surgery. He's in critical condition.
If you witnessed the shooting, detectives would like to speak with you. Please contact Detective Stalnaker at 629-201-5615.
Detectives have not yet determined a motive for the shooting.
Chambers remains in jail at the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center on a $1 million bond.
Previous Report by WGNS: MURFREESBORO, Tenn. – Murfreesboro Police are investigating a shooting that took place Saturday evening at Old Fort Park, leaving at least two individuals injured. The incident occurred as a reunion gathering at the park pavilion was ending.
According to preliminary reports, one victim was transported from the scene by ambulance, while another arrived at the hospital by private vehicle. Their current conditions have not been released. Police say early indications suggest this was a targeted shooting rather than a random act of violence.
The park, located along Old Fort Parkway near the Stones River, was secured by officers shortly after the shots were fired. Authorities confirmed there is no ongoing threat to the community, though the investigation remains active.
Old Fort Park is one of Murfreesboro’s largest and most frequented public spaces, often filled with families, walkers, and sports activities. The shooting has left many in the community shaken as detectives continue to gather information and identify those responsible.
Police are asking anyone with information related to the incident to come forward. Updates are expected as the investigation develops.
DISCLAIMER: All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The arrest records or information about an arrest that are published or reported on NewsRadio WGNS and www.WGNSradio.com are not an indication of guilt or evidence that an actual crime has been committed.
