A community in Tennessee is mourning the loss of a teenage girl, Saturah Hayes, who was celebrating pre-prom festivities in a local park when gunfire suddenly rang out. Although she was one of five people injured, she was the only one who ultimately lost her life. In that instant, everything changed. Her family lost a beloved and cherished girl, and her friends lost someone who meant a lot to them too. Everyone who spoke about Hayes had nothing but good things to say, proving she was truly an important part of their lives. It seems that she brought love to everyone she knew. Now she’s gone, and her killer hasn’t been found.
It was supposed to be a wonderful night.
On the evening of May 8, 2026, Brownsville police officers were dispatched to a park, where they found five people who had been shot, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation shared in a news release posted to social media. All five people were taken to the hospital, and one person died.
“The investigation remains active and ongoing, the release reads. “Anyone with pictures or video of the incident, witnesses to the shooting, or anyone with knowledge that might be helpful to investigators should contact 1-800-TBI-FIND. You can also email [email protected].”
The person who died was identified as Saturah Hayes in a statement made by Haywood County Schools. “Saturah was a hard working student with a positive attitude,” the statement reads. “She was full of potential and promise with hopes and plans for the future that will now remain unrealized.”
The statement also acknowledged the other students involved in the shooting and their families. “Their only goal was celebration of their children and now they must navigate the road to recovery,” it added.
The students were gathered in a popular pre-prom area.
According to WREG, officials said that the shooting occurred during a pre-prom event held at Webb Banks Passive Park. Students were in the park taking prom pictures.
A photographer who was working the event shared footage of the venue being cleaned up after the prom was canceled because of the shooting, WREG reported.
The outlet also noted that schools would be closed on May 11, citing Haywood County Schools. District leaders said the school closures would allow students, families, and the community time to grieve as they coordinated counseling and other support.
“On Friday, May 8th, two days before Mother’s [D]ay, our community experienced a major tragic incident, where an innocent life was taken, and another life left struggling to survive, while they were celebrating a great milestone in their lives,” Haywood County Sheriff Billy Garrett Jr. shared in a statement posted on social media.
“This is a senseless tragic event that should never happen in any community, and especially ours,” the statement continued. “My heart goes out especially to her mother on this special weekend as we celebrate our love for them. My prayers for comfort and peace that only God can provide for her.”
On May 10, the Brownsville community came together to support the 17-year-old’s family as her body was taken to the funeral home, Action News 5 reported.
According to friends, Saturah was at the park that night to support her friends.
“It’s always been nothing but good laughs, good spirits. Every time she was around, you would always be laughing. You could not have a bad moment with Saturah,” her friend Makayla Brown told Action 5 News. “She would’ve loved to see everybody here, and we know she looking down on us.”
Emily Earnest, another friend, said, “My girl would be so happy right now that the whole town came down to see her and supported her through this, cause by my girl didn’t deserve this.”
“It don’t matter how long it’s gonna take, she gonna get justice. Y’all took my friend. Y’all took somebody’s daughter,” Brown said, per Action 5 News.
Hours after her daughter’s death, Hayes’ mother, Astacia Hayes, shared a heartfelt post of the “last picture” she took of the teen on Facebook.
“Why? Why? Why? Would y’all take my baby from me, away from her family and friends. I tried to protect her from stuff like this and the one time I knew she would be ok, her room is empty,” she wrote. “Keep us in your prayers as well as the others who were injured!”
