Tennessee teen Lily Basil killed a day after her high school graduation as shooter claimed he didn’t know gun was loaded

A Tennessee teen whose “smile lit up every room she entered” was fatally shot Saturday night, one day after she celebrated her high school graduation, as the suspected shooter claimed he wasn’t aware the gun was loaded.

Lily Basil, 18, was struck in the right shoulder by a bullet from a rifle and was rushed to Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, where she was pronounced dead, according to WSMV.

The suspected shooter, Matthew Roufail, also 18, arrived at Williamson County Medical Center, believing it was the hospital where Basil was taken, when he was met by police.

The teen was held for questioning and charged with criminal homicide for Basil’s death, WZTV reported, citing a police affidavit.

“Police have arrested Matthew Roufail, 18. He’s charged with criminal homicide. His bond is set at $150,000,” the Franklin police announced Sunday. “Police believe this was an isolated incident. The investigation is ongoing.”

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Roufail allegedly admitted to shooting Basil, but claimed the tragedy was unintentional and believed the AR-15-style rifle was unloaded.

One of the witnesses who attempted to drive Basil to the hospital told police he saw Roufail shoot the graduate with a .22-caliber rifle.

The rifle had been in the trunk of the witness’s car when the teens had been hanging out.

Police did not disclose how Basil and Roufail knew each other.

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Basil graduated from Page High School in Franklin, Tenn., on Friday as Roufail had his commencement ceremony from Ravenhood High School, located 10 miles away, on the same day, according to the Williamson Herald .

“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,” school principal Katie Hill said in a statement, according to the outlet.

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“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.”

Roufail was bonded out on Tuesday, according to WKRN.

Several memorials are scheduled to honor Bail, and her funeral is scheduled for Friday morning.

In addition to the services, community members were asked to shine a light on Friday at sunset, as part of Page High School’s “Light the Night Memorial: Honoring the Life and Legacy of Lily Basil.”

“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.

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