LeKe Jenkins

LeKe Jenkins, a 25-year-old Black man remembered by his family as a fearless and loving father, son, and brother, was shot and killed in Nashville, Tennessee, on the evening of Sunday, March 20, 2022. His loved ones said he was a laid-back and funny person who always had a smile on his face and didn't bother anyone. He was a cherished part of his family, and his grandmother recalled speaking with him just hours before his death, when he promised to come by and check on her later.

That evening, Jenkins went to an apartment at 604 Frith Drive in East Nashville to help his girlfriend move. Around 8:30 p.m., an altercation broke out inside the residence. During the dispute, a gunman opened fire, striking Jenkins multiple times. According to his family, he sustained two gunshot wounds to the chest and one to the ribs. First responders rushed to the scene after receiving a call about the shooting. Jenkins was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, but he did not survive his injuries. His mother later recounted the devastating moment she was told, "he didn't make it."

The Metro Nashville Police Department launched a homicide investigation and quickly identified a person of interest. On March 21, the day after the shooting, detectives announced they were seeking 14-year-old Darrian Pirtle for questioning. Police stated that Pirtle was reportedly present inside the apartment at the time of the shooting and was armed with a pistol. The apartment belonged to Pirtle's sister, though he did not live there. Authorities also noted that Pirtle was accused of pointing the gun at his sister during the incident.

The search for the teen was brief. On Tuesday morning, March 22, just two days after Jenkins’s death, Darrian Pirtle surrendered to authorities. He was taken into the custody of the Metro Nashville Police Department. At the time of his surrender, police confirmed that their investigation into the fatal shooting remained active and ongoing.

In the wake of the tragedy, LeKe Jenkins's grieving family pleaded for help from the community. Facing the unexpected and mounting costs of a funeral, they struggled to find a way to lay him to rest. His mother made a public appeal, stating, "He loved everybody. So for him to sacrifice himself for somebody that he loved, he deserved to get sent away, sent home peacefully." The family asked for donations to be made directly to the funeral home to help cover the expenses for his service.

While police announced that Darrian Pirtle was in custody in the days following the homicide, no further public information has been released regarding charges, potential court proceedings, or a final resolution in the case. As of that announcement in March 2022, the investigation into the death of LeKe Jenkins was continuing. Anyone with information about the shooting was asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.