Local News

One teenager is dead, and another is in custody following a Saturday evening shooting in Hermitage. 16-year-old Zepplenin Phillips was reportedly found on the ground near his home with three gunshot wounds to the neck and chest and was brought to Vanderbilt by neighbors. He was pronounced dead at the hospital. 18-year-old Raphael Jobehdari has been arrested. He was identified as a suspect after detectives learned Phillips communicated with him about buying a gun and sent him money.

An early Sunday morning shooting in the Lakewood neighborhood of Old Hickory left two men dead, one of whom is believed to be the gunman responsible for the other’s death. Witnesses told officers an argument took place during a party when 41-year-old Steven Gutierrez, who lived at the home, allegedly shoved a 19-year-old man. According to police, the 19-year-old pulled a gun from his waistband and shot Gutierrez multiple times. Gutierrez was taken to TriStar Skyline Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Meanwhile, officials reported the 19-year-old — who left the scene with his group of friends — was dropped off at TriStar Summit Medical Center with a single gunshot wound, but he died shortly afterward. Efforts are underway to notify his next of kin.

Labor Day is considered the unofficial end of summer and millions of Americans will be trying to squeeze the most out of it with one last trip. AAA expects 17 million people to travel this Labor Day weekend, about a nine percent increase from last year. AAA says gas prices are down almost 40 cents a gallon from last year which will motivate many travelers to go for road trips.