Crime
Two Alabama Teenagers Found Fatally Shot in Nashville Woods Identified
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Authorities have identified two Alabama teenagers found shot to death earlier this week in a wooded area near Percy Priest Lake in Nashville.
According to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, the victims have been identified as Amir Landan Wilkerson, 19, and Jamie Valdez-Garcia, 18, both residents of Alabaster, Alabama.
The bodies were discovered shortly before 2 p.m. on Monday by a passerby walking along a wooded trail near the Lincoya Bay Apartments.
The area where they were found is part of the Army Corps of Engineers property.
Police said both teens had been shot multiple times.
Wilkerson was identified on Tuesday after investigators found his wallet at the scene. The identity of Valdez-Garcia was confirmed the following day.
Preliminary investigations indicate that the two teens traveled from Alabaster to Nashville on Sunday — the last day they were seen by their families.
Authorities have not yet determined the purpose of their trip or the circumstances that led to their deaths.
The motive remains under investigation, and no suspects have been publicly identified.
Law enforcement officials are urging anyone with information about the case to come forward. Tips can be submitted anonymously to Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463, and a reward of up to $5,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest and conviction.
The investigation is ongoing, and further updates will be provided as more details become available.
Crime
16-year-old Khyon Smith-Tate found shot to death inside Chipotle bathroom on edge of Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA — A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot inside the bathroom of a Chipotle restaurant near Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia on Monday afternoon, police said, as students and staff returned for the first day of the Spring 2026 semester.
The shooting occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m. inside the Chipotle located in the 1100 block of West Montgomery Avenue, on the ground floor of The View at Montgomery apartment complex. The building is situated near Temple University’s Student Center and TECH Center.
Police later identified the victim as Khyon Smith-Tate, a North Philadelphia resident. Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said Smith-Tate was found with a gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at 5:24 p.m.
Temple University President John Fry and Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police Jennifer Griffin issued a joint statement following the incident:
“The loss of life to gun violence is a profound tragedy, and there are no words that can make sense of it. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and loved ones.”
According to investigators, Smith-Tate and another minor entered the restaurant and requested access to the restroom. Chief Inspector Small said the shooting is believed to have occurred inside the bathroom.
Moments later, employees discovered Smith-Tate suffering from a gunshot wound. Police recovered one spent shell casing from a semiautomatic weapon inside the restroom.
Although the victim’s last known address was approximately eight blocks from the scene, authorities have not indicated what brought him to the location or what led to the shooting.
At the time of the incident, the restaurant was crowded, and multiple individuals inside the business were detained briefly for questioning. However, police said they have not yet obtained any statements from witnesses who reported hearing a gunshot.
A person of interest was taken into custody several blocks from the scene shortly after the shooting, but Chief Inspector Small said that individual’s involvement remains unclear.
As of Tuesday, police confirmed that no arrests have been made and no motive has been established.
Investigators believe Smith-Tate entered the restroom with another minor, though the whereabouts of that individual remain unknown.
Police are also seeking information about three possible suspects, described as teenagers carrying backpacks.
Chief Inspector Small noted that the area is equipped with numerous surveillance cameras, which detectives are reviewing as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Philadelphia Police Department.