“Remembering the Victims: John and Julie Mullinix Share Their Story of Loss and Healing at Season to Remember Event”

Accident – Death – Obituary News : A Glimpse into Nashville’s Heartbreaking Homicide Statistics in 2023

Nashville, Tennessee – In a heartwarming display of remembrance, two bare wreaths adorned with red bows were delicately decorated with ornaments by family members who lost their loved ones to violent crimes. John and Julie Mullinix, who tragically lost their daughter Kimberly Wyatt and granddaughter Sarah Wyatt to gun violence in a Crossville shooting 17 years ago, were among those who placed over two dozen ornaments on the wreaths. This touching act took place at December’s Season to Remember event, an annual gathering that honors homicide victims. The event has grown over the years, serving as a source of solace for those left behind to navigate the overwhelming grief that comes with losing a loved one to violence.

Julie Mullinix shared, “We thought we would never be able to smile again. We thought we’d never be able to enjoy our lives. We attended Season Remember that first year, and for the first time, we did not feel alone.” This sentiment echoes the experiences of many who have found comfort and support through this event.

Tragically, in 2023, 101 new families in Nashville faced Christmas without someone they loved due to violent crimes, which was three fewer than the previous year. Although there was a slight decrease in the number of cases, several incidents were particularly heinous. One devastating event was the shooting at The Covenant School, where six people, including three children, lost their lives. Another heart-wrenching case involved the targeted shooting of a 4-year-old girl who was a passenger in a car. Additionally, several individuals were shot while driving, and one missing man was found shot to death and concealed in the back of his vehicle after it was towed.

Expressing concern about the alarming prevalence of gun violence, Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake stated, “Senseless gun violence is claiming the lives of too many men, women, and children. We must do better, Nashville. Our police department is committed to doing its part. Gun owners, family members, church congregations, and others all have a role in securing weapons so they won’t be stolen and teaching individuals that violence and gunfire are not the answers to addressing conflicts.”

To gain a deeper understanding of Nashville’s 2023 homicides, let’s delve into the statistics:

Homicide Victims by Age and Gender
The majority of victims were young, with more than half of them under the age of 30. One-third of all victims fell between the ages of 20 and 29, while the second-highest number of victims were teenagers or even younger individuals. In 2022, there was only one child under the age of 10 listed as a victim of violence. However, in 2023, this number increased to four, including the tragic deaths of Evelyn Dieckhaus, William Kinney, and Hallie Scruggs in The Covenant School shooting. Another heart-wrenching case involved the targeted shooting of 4-year-old Taliyah Frazier in May while she was a passenger in a vehicle.

Regarding gender, four out of five victims were men, a trend that has persisted for several years. Domestic violence accounted for eight fatal cases, with all but one victim being women, making up approximately 37% of the total female victims.

Homicide Victims by Race
The majority of victims were Black, representing approximately 62% of the cases in 2023. This trend has remained consistent since at least 2016. In a significant shift, Hispanic victims surpassed white victims for the first time in seven years, becoming the second-highest demographic of victims in 2023. While the number of Hispanic victims has typically remained under 13, this year, 21 individuals of Hispanic descent were counted among the victims. Metro Nashville Police Department reported that 16 victims were white, and two were Asian or listed as other.

Homicide Cases by Month and Method
The year 2023 began with a startlingly high number of homicides, averaging one every 43 hours in January. March followed as the second deadliest month, with 12 cases, while July claimed the third spot with 11 cases. Gunfire was responsible for over 90% of the violent deaths in 2023, with seven cases involving a knife or cutting instrument and one case resulting from blunt force trauma.

As Nashville grapples with these heartbreaking statistics, it is crucial for the community to come together and address the root causes of these senseless acts of violence. By promoting gun safety, fostering healthy conflict resolution strategies, and providing support to families affected by such tragedies, Nashville can work towards a safer and more compassionate future..