NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — One teenager is dead and another is facing homicide charges following a fight that escalated into a deadly shooting at the WeGo Central bus station in downtown Nashville on Tuesday.

Police said Shamari Bailey, 15, a Metro Nashville Public Schools student, is charged in connection with the death of Braden Caldwell, 16, also a Metro student and Johnson Alternative Learning Center participant.

The incident has sparked concerns among parents about the safety of students who rely on public transportation to get to and from school. April Hanners, whose 15-year-old daughter uses the WeGo system, says the tragedy highlights ongoing security concerns.

“As a mom, I’m reassured that it’s a safe option, and I’m shown time and time again that it’s not,” Hanners said.

Hanners’ daughter had just left the downtown train station when the shooting occurred.

“A lot of his friends were there and witnessed what happened,” she said.

Although police described the shooting as a targeted incident, Hanners said it was not the first troubling event her daughter had experienced at the station.

“A man sat down next to her and started talking to her,” Hanners recalled. “During this time, he reached out and grabbed her hand and tried to touch her. She was extremely uncomfortable, got up and walked away. He followed her into the station.

Hanners, a single mother, said WeGo was her daughter’s only transportation option because her school wasn’t a good fit for her neighborhood.

“I don’t know how I’m going to get him to and from school anymore? How will I provide him with a safe environment? » she said.

According to an MNPS spokesperson, nearly 4,000 students and staff rode WeGo buses in August as part of the district’s STRIDE program, which provides free rides. This represents more than 67,000 trips by public transport.

“If 4,000 students and staff are using WeGo, there must be more people experiencing similar situations,” Hanners said.

Hanners believes a greater law enforcement presence is needed at bus stations, especially during times when students are commuting.

“Even if it’s just for those brief moments where there will be an increased student presence, even if that represents increased security,” she said.

WeGo CEO Steve Bland released a statement regarding the shooting:

Earlier this year, WeGo hired a nationally recognized public transportation safety and security company to review its security practices and provide recommendations.

The MNPS also released a statement:

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