Nashville, TN — A man was arrested on Monday, over a year after a deadly shooting in North Nashville that left one man dead and others injured.
Kealin Hicks, 27, was indicted on charges of first-degree murder, attempted first-degree murder, and multiple firearms offenses in connection with the August 2023 shooting that claimed the life of 24-year-old Diandre Starks. The indictment was the result of an ongoing investigation by the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD), which had been working to piece together the details of the incident since it occurred more than a year ago.
The shooting took place early on the morning of August 27, 2023, around 1:50 a.m., when Starks was driving a stolen Honda Pilot on Rosa L. Parks Boulevard, near the entrance ramp to Interstate 65. Authorities say that Starks was struck by gunfire, causing the vehicle to crash and catch fire. He was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he succumbed to his injuries the following day.
In addition to Starks, the shooting also put others at risk. A Jeep Cherokee, carrying two occupants, was struck by bullets. The driver, a 23-year-old man, told police that he heard gunshots, ducked down to avoid being hit, and crashed the vehicle. Fortunately, neither of the occupants in the Jeep was injured. Another individual, a 23-year-old man from Georgia, later sought medical attention at TriStar Centennial Medical Center for a non-critical gunshot wound he sustained during the incident.
Investigators believe that at least 40 rounds were fired from two or more firearms, contributing to the chaos and potential danger in the area.
On December 30, 2023, Hicks was located by officers driving a stolen red Infiniti sedan. When they attempted to stop him, Hicks fled the scene, leading authorities on a brief chase through a residential neighborhood. The pursuit ended in a grocery store parking lot, where Hicks exited the vehicle and attempted to flee on foot into the store. Officers quickly apprehended him.
A subsequent search of the Infiniti revealed two pistols, marijuana, and multiple key fobs, adding to the charges against him.
Hicks is currently being held on a bond of $250,000, according to the MNPD, though Davidson County Sheriff’s Office records show his bond is set at $1,000,000. Investigators are continuing to search for additional individuals who may have been involved in the gunfire, as the investigation into the shooting remains ongoing.
The arrest marks a significant development in a case that had drawn public attention due to its violent nature and the risk posed to nearby drivers and bystanders. Authorities have urged anyone with further information to come forward as they continue their efforts to uncover the full scope of the crime.