A Nashville community is grappling with grief after a teenager was fatally shot over the weekend in the Hermitage area. Metro Nashville Police reported that the incident occurred just after 6:30 p.m. on Saturday from the 4000 block of Hallborough Way, where a 16-year-old was discovered with multiple gunshot wounds. Despite immediate efforts to save him, the teen succumbed to his injuries at the hospital. The victim was identified as Zeppelin Phillips, and WKRN noted that neighbors reported hearing around five gunshots.
Details are beginning to emerge about the circumstances surrounding Phillip's death. WSMV explained that police believe the incident was targeted, with witnesses recounting four to six gunshots and then witnessing a couple of vehicles quickly departing the scene. Currently, there have been no arrests, and police are continuing their investigation into this tragic event. The shooting took place at Phillips’ own residence, indicating he was possibly ambushed at a place that was supposed to be his sanctuary.
In a related development, an 18-year-old man has been charged in connection to this fatal shooting. Metro Nashville Police took 18-year-old Raphael Jobehdari into custody and charged him with the murder of Zeppelin Phillips. Jobehdari's implication in the case seems to be tied to an anticipated gun sale, as authorities recovered three firearms during a search of his residence. A NewsChannel5 report states SWAT officers executed the search warrant at Jobehdari's home, hoping to gather more evidence in the shooting.
This isn't the first time that Jobehdari has been linked to a fatal shooting. Earlier this year, he was involved in a shoot-out during an alleged drug robbery in Bellevue, a confrontation that resulted in the death of another 18-year-old, Gavin Dauzart. Jobehdari had been wounded in the exchange but claimed self-defense, which led to no charges being filed against him at that time. Following the recent Hermitage shooting, Phillips' family has set up a GoFundMe to help manage the aftermath of this calamity, providing a way for the community to offer support during their period of mourning.
