Teenager shot dead one day after graduation because suspect thought gun was unloaded

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A Tennessee teenager was shot and killed one day after celebrating her high school graduation. The suspect claimed he did not know the gun was loaded.

Lily Basil, 18, was pronounced dead Saturday night after being hit in the right shoulder by a rifle bullet, police said.

The shooting occurred just one day after she graduated from Page High School in Franklin, Tennessee.

Matthew Roufail, also 18, was arrested in connection with the incident and charged with manslaughter, WZTV reported, citing a police affidavit.

“Police have arrested 18-year-old Matthew Roufail. He is charged with manslaughter. His bail is set at $150,000,” Franklin police said on Sunday. “Police believe this is an isolated incident. The investigation is ongoing.”

The suspect was met by police upon arrival at Williamson County Medical Center, believing it was the hospital where Basil had been taken, the affidavit states.

He graduated the same day as Basil from Ravenhood High School, which is ten miles from Page High School, according to the Williamson Herald. He was released on bail on Tuesday, WKRN reported.

After the shooting, he allegedly admitted to shooting Basil, but told police he did not know the AR-15-style rifle was loaded.

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 gun was in the trunk of the witness’ car, where the teens were hanging out before the shooting, the affidavit said.

The police did not provide any information about how Basil and Roufail knew each other.

Following news of Basil’s death, her high school principal released a statement describing her as a “kind” student whose “smile brightened every room she entered.”

“The Page High family mourns the loss of Lily Basil, who graduates in 2024. Lily was a bright spot; she was kind, sweet and extremely respectful. Her smile brightened every room she entered,” Principal Katie Hill said in a statement.

“Although she was new to the Page community, she quickly embraced the patriotic spirit and was a friend to everyone she met. The faculty, staff and students of Page will miss Lily greatly, and we are committed to honoring her memory by sharing her light.”

Several memorial services are planned in the teens’ honor; their funeral is scheduled for Friday morning.

In addition to the services, community members were asked to light a candle at sunset on Friday as part of Page High School’s “Light the Night: Honoring the Life and Legacy of Lily Basil” memorial service.

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