Nashville, TN – On Sunday, the Nashville community came together to remember Ashley Dominguez, the 18-year-old who tragically lost her life in a shooting two weeks ago along Murfreesboro Pike. The candlelight vigil, held at 3 p.m. on the steps of the Historic Metro Courthouse, provided a moment for the public to reflect on the devastating loss of Dominguez, as well as to honor the 728 other families affected by gun violence in Nashville over the past decade.
Dominguez’s family, joined by supporters from the community, placed white roses on the courthouse lawn—one for each victim of gun violence in the city. The vigil was organized by Dominguez’s family members, who were determined to share their daughter’s story and raise awareness about the broader impact of gun violence.
Dominguez was fatally shot on December 1 at an “after-hours club” in South Nashville. According to the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD), a heated argument preceded the gunfire, which was directed into a vehicle containing five people. Dominguez, along with two 19-year-old women, was injured in the shooting and transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. Despite medical efforts, Dominguez succumbed to her injuries.
At the time of the shooting, Dominguez was surrounded by friends who, like her, were in the midst of their young adult lives. Authorities have interviewed multiple people as part of their investigation, but the suspect remains at large. The MNPD has urged anyone with information to come forward and contact Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.
Melissa Alvarez-Zabriskie, the founder of the Tennessee Hispanic Action Network, spoke at the vigil, emphasizing the human side of the tragedy. “One of the things that Ashley’s mom wanted was to get Ashley’s story out so people understand that Ashley’s a real person, that these victims are real people,” Alvarez-Zabriskie said. “This tragedy didn’t just take Ashley’s life; it sent ripples through her family and her community.”
Alvarez-Zabriskie also highlighted the broader issue of gun violence, which continues to devastate families across the country. She noted that Dominguez’s mother wanted to make it clear that gun violence doesn’t just affect the victims themselves, but their families, friends, and communities. “Today it could be her daughter, but tomorrow, it can very easily be someone else’s,” she added.
The vigil was not only a time to honor Ashley Dominguez but also an opportunity to reflect on the broader problem of gun violence in Nashville. With a rising number of shooting incidents in the city, community leaders are calling for action to prevent further loss of life.
The families who gathered at the vigil also took a moment to acknowledge the pain that many experience during the holiday season, a time often associated with joy and togetherness. For those affected by gun violence, however, the season can bring overwhelming grief and loss.
“So many families are destroyed by somebody else’s decision to pull a trigger,” Alvarez-Zabriskie said. “It’s also important to keep them in our thoughts and considerations, especially during the holiday season when not everyone is able to celebrate happily.”
The candlelight vigil served as both a somber remembrance of lives lost and a call to action for the Nashville community to come together to address the ongoing epidemic of gun violence. As the investigation into Ashley Dominguez’s death continues, her family hopes that by sharing their pain, they can prevent future tragedies and bring about change in their community.
The vigil closed with attendees quietly lighting candles and standing in solidarity, united in their grief, and in their hope for a future where no family has to suffer the pain of losing a loved one to gun violence.
