Fisk University basketball player Andre Bell killed in Nashville highway shooting

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NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Fisk University basketball player Andre Bell, 20, died Sunday after a gunman opened fire on a Nashville interstate, police said.

Fisk University basketball player Andre Bell killed in shooting

Bell, a sophomore from Jackson, Tennessee, rode in his white Nissan Sentra with two friends when the shots erupted on I‑24. He was struck in the head and later died at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Police Outline What Happened

Police said the group had left a gymnastics event at the fairgrounds and was heading back to campus. A dark sedan pulled alongside Bell’s car in the left lane before the gunfire. Bell’s friends told detectives the Sentra slowed, spun into traffic, and hit a red pickup truck. The sedan kept going.

Investigators said the shooter’s vehicle likely has windshield damage from shattered glass found at the scene. The MNPD Homicide Unit is leading the case.

University Mourns His Death

Fisk University said in a statement it is mourning “the tragic loss” of Bell. Men’s basketball coach Jeremiah Crutcher described him as a leader with a warm presence and a strong impact on teammates. He said Bell’s smile and personality shaped the program as much as his play on the court.

Bell was majoring in business administration.

Andre Bell’s Family Remembers His Character

Bell’s parents told Fox 17 their son was a bright, loving young man devoted to his family. His mother, Amber Lewis, called him “a great kid.” His father, Bradley Lewis, said Bell never missed family events and stayed close to his younger brother.

Witnesses Provide Key Details

Police said Bell’s two friends were not injured. They told investigators they were on their phones when the gunfire started and realized Bell had been hit.

Detectives noted the interstate has no license plate readers, a gap that often complicates cases involving fleeing vehicles.

Police Seek Public’s Help

Police and Bell’s family are urging anyone with information to come forward.

If you have information that could help identify the shooter, police urge you to come forward and report it.