DeAnthony Brown Arrested: Vonquae Johnson and Three Others Fatally Gunned Down in North Nashville; Marquez Davis and DeAnthony Brown Arrested in Connection with the Mass Shooting Near Tennessee State University’s Homecoming Parade
The city of Nashville is in mourning after the devastating loss of four lives, including that of 24-year-old Vonquae Johnson, in a brutal mass shooting that unfolded near the Tennessee State University (TSU) Homecoming parade. This incident, which has left the community shaken and grief-stricken, has also resulted in the injury of nine others, forever altering the lives of families and residents in the North Nashville neighborhood. Two men, Marquez Davis and DeAnthony Brown, both also 24 years old, have been arrested in connection with the shooting and have been charged with criminal homicide, igniting discussions about gang violence, safety, and the sense of security in the area.
The tragic incident occurred late Saturday evening, October 12, 2024, at the intersection of 27th Avenue North and Jefferson Street, an area teeming with excitement and celebration following the TSU Homecoming parade. The parade had brought together countless individuals to celebrate, and while many of the revelers had moved on to attend the university’s football game, a significant number remained behind to continue celebrating on Jefferson Street. Among them was Vonquae Johnson, who was standing with a group of friends, unaware that the joyous occasion would soon turn deadly.
According to reports from the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD), Johnson, along with three of his associates, were known members of a local gang called “23 SKE.” This gang had been on the radar of law enforcement for some time due to their involvement in various criminal activities. On the other hand, Marquez Davis and DeAnthony Brown, the two men who were later apprehended for their involvement in the shooting, were part of a rival gang. Tensions between these two groups had been simmering for months, and the homecoming parade, a time for celebration, unfortunately became the stage for a deadly confrontation.
Surveillance footage captured the moments leading up to the horrifying incident, showing Davis and Brown approaching Johnson and his group. What initially appeared to be a verbal altercation quickly escalated into a chaotic shootout that would leave the community scarred for years to come. Witnesses described hearing a barrage of gunfire as both groups exchanged bullets in a matter of seconds. When the smoke cleared, Johnson and three others lay lifeless on the pavement, while nine other innocent bystanders were caught in the crossfire, suffering from various gunshot wounds.
The Metro Nashville Police Department was quick to respond to the scene, launching an investigation that would eventually lead to the arrests of Davis and Brown. The two men were located on Monday night, just two days after the shooting, at a short-term rental property on 26th Avenue North, mere blocks away from the crime scene. Their apprehension came after an intense manhunt that involved local authorities and federal agents working around the clock to bring justice to the victims and their families.
For the families of Vonquae Johnson and the other victims, however, the arrests have done little to ease the pain of their loss. Johnson, described by those who knew him as a charismatic and vibrant young man, had been trying to turn his life around in recent months, according to his family. While his involvement in gang-related activities had been a part of his past, Johnson had recently started taking steps to leave that life behind. Tragically, his efforts were cut short by the senseless violence that took his life on that fateful night.
The other three individuals who lost their lives in the shooting have not yet been publicly identified by authorities, pending notification of their families. What is known is that they, too, were part of Johnson’s circle and had likely been targeted due to their gang affiliations. Meanwhile, the nine injured victims, who were bystanders caught in the middle of the crossfire, have all been treated at local hospitals. Their conditions range from critical to stable, but many of them face long recoveries, both physically and emotionally, as they grapple with the trauma of having been part of such a violent event.
The community of North Nashville is left to pick up the pieces in the aftermath of this tragedy. Local leaders, including representatives from Tennessee State University and various community organizations, have come together to call for an end to the gang violence that has plagued the neighborhood for years. Vigils and memorials have been held in honor of Johnson and the other victims, with hundreds of community members gathering to pay their respects and demand change.
In the days following the shooting, the Metro Nashville Police Department has increased patrols in the area and is working closely with community leaders to address the root causes of the violence. Gang-related activities have long been a concern in this part of the city, and the MNPD is now focusing on efforts to disrupt the cycle of violence that has claimed too many young lives. While the arrests of Davis and Brown are seen as a step in the right direction, many in the community believe that much more needs to be done to ensure the safety of residents and prevent future tragedies.
For the families of the victims, the pain is unbearable. Johnson’s mother, speaking through tears at a press conference held in front of her home, described her son as a loving and devoted young man who had been trying to better his life. She expressed her heartbreak at the fact that he would never get the chance to realize his potential and urged other young people to stay away from the path of violence that had claimed her son’s life. Similar sentiments were echoed by the families of the other victims, all of whom are now grappling with the difficult task of planning funerals for their loved ones.
As the investigation into the shooting continues, attention has also turned to the broader issue of gun violence in Nashville and across the country. Local officials have called for stricter gun control measures, pointing to the ease with which individuals like Davis and Brown were able to obtain firearms despite their criminal backgrounds. This incident has reignited the debate over gun laws, with advocates on both sides of the issue weighing in on how best to prevent such tragedies from happening in the future.
In the meantime, the community of North Nashville will continue to mourn the loss of Vonquae Johnson and the other victims. The scars left by this shooting will take time to heal, but local leaders are determined to turn this tragedy into a catalyst for change. As the city moves forward, the hope is that the memory of Johnson and the others who lost their lives will inspire efforts to create a safer and more peaceful future for all residents of Nashville.
