Teenager shot dead the day after high school graduation

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – An 18-year-old boy was arrested and charged with criminal homicide after allegedly fatally shooting 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 Lily Basil, 18, to the hospital for a gunshot wound to the right shoulder, according to the arrest report.

The dispatcher told the person taking Basil to the hospital to pull over to 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 the shooter may have been Matthew Roufail. They were told Roufail had left the scene to go to the hospital, according to the report.

Roufail was arrested. He later told police that he had shot Basil, but that it was not intentional.

He thought the AR-15-style rifle was unloaded, police said.

Page High School Principal Dr. Katie Hill released the following statement regarding Basil's death. She graduated on May 24, just a day before she was shot.

“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.

Basil's family asked the school to share arrangements for the celebration of his life. They will have a ceremony at Rolling Hills Church on Friday, May 31 at 11:30 a.m.

Additionally, Page High invites all community members to participate in a “Light the Night: Honoring the Life and Legacy of Lily Basil” memorial on Friday, May 31 at sunset. The commemoration will not take place at the high school.

“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.

Page High School has reached out to students and staff to let them know that counselors are available this week for anyone who may need their support.

Roufail was arrested and has since been released on $150,000 bail.

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