On the night of August 11, 2024, 16-year-old Joaniel Ortiz Colon was shot in the parking lot of The Residences of Gallatin on Albright Farms Drive in Gallatin, Tennessee. He was found critically injured and later died at a local hospital. Police say the incident began amid allegations of vehicle burglaries at the apartment complex, and that a resident, 20-year-old Adrian Wilkerson, confronted Joaniel. Wilkerson’s mother says he intended only to scare the teenager away, but the encounter escalated and Joaniel was shot while running away.

Gallatin police took Wilkerson into custody and charged him with second-degree murder in connection with Joaniel’s death. Joaniel’s family disputes claims that he was involved in any wrongdoing. The shooting has left both families devastated and raised questions about how a confrontation in a parking lot turned fatal.

If anyone witnessed the confrontation or has information about that night, please share what is known with Gallatin police.