NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — So many questions remain about the murder of a young nurse on I-440 in Nashville. The police investigation continues and a $10,000 reward has been offered for information that leads to an arrest.
Video from the crime scene may explain what happened in the final moments of 26-year-old Caitlyn Kaufman's life.
Kaufman, an ICU nurse, was on her way to work at St. Thomas West Hospital when she was shot and killed on 440 Thursday night. Police say her vehicle was shot at least six times, and she died almost immediately.
A Newschannel5 crew responded to the scene after police. And we've matched some of our video up with what Metro detectives have shared about the case.
Lead homicide detective Chris Dickerson now says the shots most likely came from the interstate - not from a bluff or bridge above - and that Kaufman's SUV was hit at least six times.
"She was killed by a gunshot that entered her left shoulder area," said Dickerson.
It appears some of the bullets entered from the driver's side of the SUV.
The back passenger window is blown out. At least one round - maybe more were shot here. And there is a single bullet hole low on the driver's side window possibly the round that hit Kaufman in the shoulder killing her.
"The medical examiner said the wound would have been fatal in 15 seconds. Caitlyn did not have time to get to the cellphone to call 9-1-1," said Dickerson.
You'll notice there is no clear sign of damage to the passenger side of the SUV or to the guardrail. Metro police chief John Drake concedes. "This case is unusual in a number of ways in that it happened on our interstate system on I-440."
It happened during rush hour. The shooting occurred between 6:05 and 6:10 p.m. Police say they learned this by tracking Kaufman's cell phone. But it did not become a crime scene until a Metro Parks officer stopped to check nearly three hours later - plenty of time for a suspect to escape.
Certainly, someone must have seen something. Detective Dickerson says they've received dozens of tips so far.
"I cannot discuss all of the leads we are actively working," said Dickerson. But detectives have been working the case non-stop and say they are considering all options.
Police continued to ask anyone who was driving on I-440 west Thursday between Hillsboro Road and West End exits around 6 p.m. to call Crimestoppers if they saw anything the may be of help to the investigation.
