BELLEVUE, Tenn. — Residents of the Forest Park Apartments are calling for urgent changes following the tragic death of a 17-year-old on the premises, marking the second deadly shooting in the complex in just a week. The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department confirmed that Ja’Quan Nolan was shot while visiting friends around 10 p.m. Saturday, and another individual, a 24-year-old man, also sustained injuries during the incident.
Eyewitnesses recounted the chaos of that evening, with two residents describing their immediate reactions to the gunfire. One woman initially mistook the shots for firecrackers before her instinct to help prompted her to rush outside. She was taken aback when she encountered the shooter and subsequently faced gunfire herself as she attempted to assist another victim.
“It’s a painful sight seeing someone so young lose their life,” said another resident, who echoed the sentiment of fear and sadness that has overtaken the community. Both women moved into the complex seeking stability after a period of homelessness, but they soon became increasingly aware of escalating crime rates, including drug activity and violence.
“From the moment we arrived, we noticed issues with maintenance, and the environment quickly deteriorated,” one resident explained. They attributed the rising crime to frequent changes in management and expressed frustration over their inability to communicate with property officials. “They lock the doors and vanish until it’s time to collect the rent.”
In addition to witnessing two tragic shootings within a week, residents indicated that prior measures meant to enhance security—such as added cameras and lighting—have proven ineffective. “If those changes worked, we wouldn’t be facing these issues,” one woman said, emphasizing that young children in the complex have learned to associate the sound of gunfire with their everyday lives.
“Their instinct now is to take cover when they hear a loud noise,” another resident noted, lamenting how such a reality impacts their daily existence. “No child should have to live like this.”
Residents expressed deep concerns about the condition of their living spaces, pointing to unresolved maintenance issues that have persisted despite multiple changes in management. “The only thing that changes here are the people,” one resident stated, arguing for the need to reevaluate the entire property management approach. “Everything else remains the same. Our homes are in disrepair, and nothing is being fixed.”
In a response to the community’s concerns, a spokesperson for the property management assured residents that their safety remains a top priority. The spokesperson stated that several proactive measures have been put in place to address the ongoing issues, including increasing security presence and collaborating more closely with local law enforcement.
The Forest Park Apartments, acquired by Elmington in 2018, have undergone various management changes, with direct control transferring to Elmington Living in September 2025. Residents hope that with this new management, their living conditions and overall safety will improve, prompting calls for immediate action to address the ongoing violence and instability in their community.