“She walked in and her smile lit up the whole room.” A Tennessee teenager was shot and killed Saturday night, the day after celebrating her high school graduation, by the suspect who claimed he didn’t know the gun was loaded.
Lily Basile, 18, was struck by a rifle bullet in her right shoulder while rushed to Vanderbilt Medical Center in Nashville, where she was later pronounced dead. According to WSMV.
The suspected shooter, Matthew Rufail, 18, arrived at Williamson County Medical Center, believing it to be the hospital where Basil had been taken, when he was confronted by police.
The boy was detained for questioning and has been charged with murder in Basil’s death, WZTV reported. Citing a police affidavit.
“Police have arrested suspect Matthew Rufail, 18. He has been charged with murder. Bail has been set at $150,000,” Franklin police said in a statement Sunday. “Police believe this is an isolated incident. The investigation is ongoing.”
Roufail admitted to shooting Basil but claimed the tragedy was unintentional and that the AR-15 rifle was unloaded.
A witness who was driving Basil to the hospital told police he saw Roufail shoot the graduate with a .22-caliber rifle.
The rifle was kept in the trunk of the witness’ car, where the boys were gathered.
Police did not say how Basil and Roufail met.
Basil graduated from Page High School in Franklin, Tennessee, on Friday, and Rufail attended his graduation ceremony at Ravenhood High School, 10 miles away, the same day. According to the Williamson Herald.
“The Page High School family is mourning the loss of Lily Basile, Class of 2024. Lily was a light of life – kind, lovely and incredibly respectful. Her smile lit up any room she walked into,” Page Principal Katie Hill said in a statement, according to the outlet.
“Although she was new to the Page community, she quickly embraced the patriotic spirit and made friends with everyone she met. Lily will be dearly missed by the Page faculty, staff and students, and we are committed to honoring her memory by sharing her light.”
Rufeil was released on bail on Tuesday. According to WKRN.
Vail’s funeral is scheduled for Friday morning, and several memorial services are planned in her memory.
In addition to the service, community members were asked to turn on lights at sundown Friday as part of Page High School’s “Light the Night Memorial: Honoring the Life and Legacy of Lily Basile.”
“That evening, please help us honour Lily by lighting a candle or lantern or turning on your porch light and celebrating the light she brought into our lives,” Hill said.
