a day ago
UPDATE: Both shooting victims in May & July on I-24 and Waldron Road identified
Both shootings occur near La Vergne interchange with I-24
Note: New information has been added to this story.
A second man since May died recently while driving from gunshot wounds on Interstate 24 near Waldron Road, according to news releases.
"It is not believed related," Rutherford County Sheriff's spokeswoman Lisa Marchesoni said.
The sheriff's office identified the more recent driver killed July 12 as Noah Taylor, 22, of Smyrna.
The victim from the May 18 shooting on I-24 near Waldron Drive is DaKavian Quayshawn Harris, Marchesoni said.
Taylor died while driving about 7:30 a.m. on a Saturday on I-24 near Waldron Road toward Nashville, Detective Thomas Burnett said in an updated news release from Marchesoni.
Drivers who have videos or other information may contact Burnett at 615-904-3052.
'Dash cam footage would be advantageous,' Burnett said in the press release. 'We're interested in information and dash cams from Interstate 840 to the Bell Road exit between 7 and 8 a.m.'
UPDATE: Detectives seek witness of May 18 shooting death of man in car on I-24 near Waldron Road
Rewards available to witnesses
Taylor's family members are offering a $2,000 reward for information to help in the arrest and prosecution of the shooter, the news release said.
People with information also may call Rutherford County Crime Stoppers at 615-893-7867. Callers remain anonymous.
'Crime Stoppers is offering a reward up to $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and prosecution of the suspect responsible,' Burnett said in the release.
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Mother and family mourn the loss of Noah
Taylor and his mother, Katrina Leonard, each told one another they loved each other before he left home at 7:13 a.m. July 12 to work at CarTronics in Nashville where he had recently passed a test for advancement, an updated press release said.
The son died 45 minutes later.
'I am so thankful and grateful I had that moment with him,' the mother said as she become overcome with tears, according to the press release.
The mother and her husband, Scott Leonard, Taylor's father Scot Taylor, and children Josh and Hannah mourn for Noah Taylor.
Noah attended Rock Springs Elementary School and Rocky Fork Middle School where he played football. An elementary school teacher and his middle school coach reached out to his mother after his death, according to Marchesoni's updated press release.
'He touched so many lives,' his mother said in the press release.
The mother also described Noah as an amazing and loving son.
"I am at a loss for words.'
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Noah's father touts the son's Christian faith
Noah's father, Scot, who lives in Kansas, last communicated with his son by texting Friday night. They had breakfast a few weeks ago, according to the updated press release.
Noah told his father he had 'given his life to Christ and was baptized. The son wanted to be involved in the ministry and shared his favorite verses from Proverbs, the press release added.
'I could hear the joy in his voice,' Scot Taylor said in the press release.
His father also said that his son did not deserve to be killed. The father will never get to see what kind of life his son would have or never have grandchildren from Noah.
Noah's friend, Tonny Duenas, met Noah when they worked together in Smyrna and invited him to LifePoint Church in Smyrna. Noah became part of the Spanish ministry at the church, the press release noted.
"He (Noah) was growing up in his faith,' Duenas said in the press release. "I know he's in a better place now.'
Scot Taylor agreed.
'My son, I know, is in a better place,' Scot Taylor said in the press release. 'That's what gives me peace.'
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Initial call to recent shooting reported to Nashville authorities
Nashville police officers and firefighters initially responded to the scene of the July 12 shooting because the original call came to Metro Nashville Police. The shooting occurred near the Rutherford-Davidson County line, the news release from Marchesoni said.
Officers determined the shooting to be in Rutherford County under the jurisdiction of the sheriff's office, Marchesoni said.
The Tennessee Highway Patrol and Tennessee Department of Transportation closed the highway during the initial investigation, the news release said.
La Vergne Police and sheriff's deputies responded to the scene with Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services.
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Previous shooting occurred in afternoon May 18
A previous victim, Harris, died of a fatal gunshot wound May 18 after crashing his 2011 Infiniti G37 at the median of I-24 near Waldron Road, according to a May news release from the sheriff's spokeswoman.
"Detectives are still in the early stages of the investigation," Marchesoni said.
Sheriff's deputies and other law enforcement officers responded to the scene of the previous shooting victim at about 3:50 p.m. May 18 and found Harris suffering from a gunshot wound, Detective Jesse Gammel said in a previous news release.
Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services paramedics treated Harris, but he later died at a local hospital, the May news release said.
In addition to the deputies, officers with the Tennessee Highway Patrol and La Vergne Police Department responded to the May shooting, according to the news release.
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Another person was held at the scene of the May shooting for questioning, Detective Gammel said. No criminal charges have been filed at this time, the May news release added.
'Detectives with the Rutherford County Sheriff's Office are asking for the public's assistance regarding any citizens who witnessed the (May 18) shooting or any events leading up to the vehicle crashing into the center median at mile marker 64.8 on I-24 eastbound from Davidson County into Rutherford County,' Gammel said in the press release.
This is a developing story.
Reach reporter Scott Broden with news tips or questions by emailing him at sbroden@ To support his work with The Daily News Journal, sign up for a digital subscription.
