Lily Basil, Tennessee teen, shot and killed the day after high school graduation

US News

By Nicholas McEntyre

A Tennessee teenager whose “smile lit up every room she entered” was fatally shot Saturday night, a day after celebrating her high school graduation, with the suspected shooter saying he didn't know she the gun was loaded.

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

The suspected shooter, Matthew Roufail, also 18, arrived at Williamson County Medical Center thinking it was the hospital Basil had been taken to when he encountered police.

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

“The police arrested Matthieu Roufail, 18 years old. He is charged with criminal homicide. His bail is set at $150,000,” Franklin police announced Sunday. “Police believe this to be an isolated incident. The investigation is ongoing.

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

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

The rifle was in the trunk of the witness's car, where the teens were hanging out.

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

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

“Even though she was new to the Page community, she quickly embraced 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.

Roufail was released on bail Tuesday, according to WKRN.

Several memorials are planned in Bail's honor, with his funeral planned for Friday morning.

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

“Help us honor Lily and celebrate the light she brought to our lives by lighting a candle, luminary or turning on a porch light that evening,” Hill said.