NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE — A quiet Tuesday morning in west Nashville turned into a crime scene when 62-year-old Mahmoud Z. Al-Bunni was found dead from gunshot wounds inside an apartment along Highway 70 South.
Police were called to the scene shortly after 9 a.m. following a frantic 911 call from a resident who reported hearing a confession moments after the shooting. When officers arrived, they found Al-Bunni lying unresponsive on the floor while another woman stood nearby — later identified as 20-year-old Hailey J. Hall.
According to the preliminary report, the roommate told officers that Hall had openly admitted to firing the shots that killed Al-Bunni. “She said she shot him,” the caller reportedly told dispatchers, according to early police statements. When authorities entered the apartment, Hall was cooperative and was taken into custody without resistance.
Emergency medical personnel confirmed that Al-Bunni had succumbed to his injuries at the scene. The firearm believed to have been used in the shooting was recovered inside the apartment and has been sent for forensic testing. Officials say the evidence will be analyzed to determine the number of shots fired and whether there are any additional forensic links between the suspect and the weapon.
Investigators with the Metro Nashville Police Department’s Homicide Division spent several hours processing the scene, photographing evidence, collecting shell casings, and interviewing witnesses. Detectives also searched the apartment for any potential signs of a struggle or indications of motive. At this time, police have not publicly shared what may have led to the shooting or any relationship details between the suspect and the victim.
Hailey J. Hall was charged with criminal homicide and transported to the Davidson County Jail. Her bond has been set at $100,000 pending further court proceedings. Officials noted that she has not provided a clear explanation for her actions. Investigators are awaiting autopsy results and ballistic analysis to strengthen their case as they prepare for initial hearings.
Neighbors in the area expressed shock over the incident, describing the complex as normally peaceful. “You never expect something like this to happen right next door,” one resident said. “We just heard sirens and then saw police everywhere. It’s heartbreaking.”
Local community leaders, including a nearby priest, have stepped in to assist with notifying the victim’s family and offering emotional support. Authorities said efforts are underway to reach relatives who may live outside the country. The priest, speaking briefly, called the death “a painful tragedy that has deeply affected everyone who knew him.”
As the investigation continues, detectives are urging the public to come forward with any information that might provide context or insight into what led to the deadly shooting. They believe understanding the timeline leading up to the incident will be crucial in determining whether it was premeditated or a spontaneous act of violence.
The Nashville community is now mourning another senseless loss of life, as police work to uncover the truth behind the tragedy on Highway 70 South. Mahmoud Z. Al-Bunni’s death has left a void among those who knew him, and his memory is being honored as friends and neighbors come to terms with a shocking act that no one expected.
