Saturah Hayes was identified as the Haywood High School student killed during a pre-prom gathering at a Brownsville park.
BROWNSVILLE, Tenn. — A 17-year-old Haywood High School student was killed and four other people were wounded Friday night when gunfire broke out at a city park where students had gathered for prom photos, authorities said.
The shooting turned a senior celebration into a homicide investigation and left a West Tennessee community mourning as state and local investigators searched for the person who fired the shots. Haywood County Schools identified the student who died as Saturah Hayes. No suspect or motive had been announced by Sunday.
Brownsville officers responded May 8 to Webb Banks Passive Park in the 900 block of Key Corner Street after reports of a disturbance and gunfire. Students and families had gathered at the park before Haywood High School’s senior prom, which was scheduled for later that night. Police said five people with gunshot wounds were taken to hospitals. Hayes later died from her injuries. Brownsville Mayor William D. Rawls said in a Saturday statement that the night was supposed to be memorable and joyful for the Class of 2026. “Last night’s tragedy was senseless and heartbreaking,” Rawls said.
Investigators said the shooting happened near the park as students were taking photos in formal clothes before prom. Officials have not released the full list of surviving victims or their ages. Local reports said the wounded victims were believed to be teenagers. Early updates said at least two surviving victims had injuries that were not considered life-threatening, while a juvenile boy with a more serious head wound was expected to recover. Brownsville Police Chief Kelvin Evans said early information pointed to one shooter, not an exchange of gunfire. “This was not a shootout,” Evans said. Police also broke up fights after the gunfire, but officials said no additional injuries were reported from those disturbances.
The park became crowded and chaotic after the shots were fired. Local officials said roughly 200 people were at the gathering before the school event. Officers from several agencies assisted Brownsville police, including Haywood County deputies, Tennessee Highway Patrol troopers and other law enforcement partners. Haywood High School ended prom early after the shooting. Haywood County Schools canceled classes for Monday, May 11, to give students, families, teachers and staff time to grieve. Superintendent Amie Marsh said Hayes was a hardworking student with a positive attitude. Marsh said Hayes was “full of potential and promise” and had hopes and plans for the future that would now remain unrealized.
The shooting came during what local police described as a tense stretch for officers in Brownsville. Evans said police had answered several shots-fired calls in recent weeks, including one the night before in the same general area. Investigators had not said whether those calls were connected to the prom-night shooting. Webb Banks Passive Park, also known locally as Webb Banks Park, is a public gathering place in Brownsville. On Friday evening, it became the center of a large emergency response before twilight as families, students and officers tried to sort through the confusion. Officials have not said what sparked the gunfire or whether Hayes was an intended target.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation joined the case at the request of 28th Judicial District Attorney General Frederick Agee. State agents are working with Brownsville police as the case moves forward as a homicide investigation with multiple wounded victims. No charges, court dates or named suspects had been announced by Sunday. Investigators were reviewing witness accounts, evidence from the scene and any photos or videos taken at the park. TBI officials asked anyone who was there, or anyone with information about who fired the shots, to contact 1-800-TBI-FIND. Authorities said photos and videos from the gathering could help establish the order of events before and after the gunfire.
The grief spread beyond the school campus over Mother’s Day weekend. Friends, family members and neighbors gathered Sunday at Brownsville Court Square as police and sheriff’s deputies escorted Hayes’ remains. Friends said she had gone to the park to support classmates and enjoy the pre-prom gathering. Makayla Brown, a friend of Hayes, described her as someone who brought laughter with her. “Every time she was around, you would always be laughing,” Brown said. Another friend, Keyana Thompson, said Hayes had a generous spirit and dreams of becoming a nurse. The gathering drew people who knew Hayes and others who came to stand with her family.
Haywood County Sheriff Billy Garrett Jr. said his office was mourning with Hayes’ family and supporting the investigation. Garrett called the shooting a senseless, tragic event and said the county would use its resources to seek justice. Rawls also extended condolences to the student’s family and to those wounded. He said no family, student or community member should have to face that kind of pain during a time meant for celebration and hope. School leaders said they were working with law enforcement and community officials as students and staff prepared to return after the canceled school day.
By Sunday, the investigation remained active, with Brownsville police and TBI agents still working to identify the shooter. The next major step is expected to come from local police or state investigators as they review evidence, witness statements and videos from the park.
Author note: Last updated May 10, 2026.