Franklin teen shot, killed with gun

Sierra Rains and Ethan Illers

15 hours ago

FRANKLIN, Tenn. (WKRN) — Following a deadly shooting over the weekend, court documents show the teenage suspect shot the victim with “what he thought was an AR-style rifle- 15 not loaded”.

Franklin police were dispatched to Hanson Drive around 8:46 p.m. on Saturday, May 25 after receiving a call about a shooting, according to an arrest affidavit.

The 911 caller said he was taking the victim, Lily Basil, to the hospital for a gunshot wound to the right shoulder. The dispatcher advised the caller to pull over to the side of the road to obtain EMS assistance at Murfreesboro Road near Carothers Parkway.

Once on scene, first responders transported the victim to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. However, officials said Basil later died from her injuries.

Detectives at the scene spoke with a witness who told them the suspected shooter, later identified as Matthew Roufail, 18, had left to go to Williamson County Medical Center.

Roufail was taken to the police station for questioning, where authorities said he admitted to shooting the victim but said he thought the gun was unloaded.

The gun allegedly belonged to the man who called 911. In an interview with police, the man said he saw Roufail shoot the victim. The firearm was apparently located in the trunk of the man's car.

According to the arrest report, the firearm was a .22 caliber rifle.

Roufail was arrested and charged with criminal homicide. His bail was set at $150,000.

Basil attended Page High School. Principal Dr. Katie Hill provided the following statement to News 2 regarding Basil's death:

“The Page High family mourns the loss of Lily Basil, a 2024 graduate. Lily was a light; she was kind, gentle and extremely respectful. Her smile lit up every room she entered. Although she was new to the Page community, she quickly adopted the Patriot spirit and was a friend to everyone she met. Lily will be greatly missed by Page faculty, staff, and students, and we are committed to honoring her memory by sharing her light.

Dr. Katie Hill, Principal of Page High School

Williamson County Schools also said a celebration of Basil's life will be held at Rolling Hills Church on Friday, May 31 at 11:30 a.m.

Page High School also invites all members of the community to participate in a “Light the Night: Honoring the Life and Legacy of Lily Basil” memorial on May 31 at sunset. Neighbors are invited to light a candle, light fixture or turn on a porch light that evening to “honor Lily and celebrate the light she brought to our lives.”