NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — News 2 is taking a look at juvenile crime in Davidson County.

Data shows more and more minors are being charged with violent crimes in Nashville.

"There are kids crying out who can't figure out life," founder of Nashville's Peacemakers/ Mothers over Murder, Clemmie Greenlee, said.

According to data provided by Davidson County Juvenile Court, in 2024, 830 kids and teens were charged with violent crimes in Davidson County, which is a 58% increase from 2021, when there were 453 charges.

In 2024, 32 juveniles were charged with homicide, the most in five years. So far in 2025, there have already been 21 homicide charges and the year isn't over yet.

"It's heartbreaking," Greenlee said.

On Wednesday, officials announced a 13-year-old was charged with attempted homicide for their connection to a shooting that left a 21-year-old injured in Hermitage earlier this month. The Metro Nashville Police Department said a preliminary investigation shows that the teen approached the victim in the apartment complex and fired before running away.

"We got to come back out here and take back our streets, one street at a time, one porch at a time, one child at a time," Greenlee expressed.

Greenlee holds support groups for mothers who have lost their child to gun violence. She lost her son in 2003, adding that it doesn't get easier.

Experts say crime by kids and teens is usually fueled by several different factors, and Greenlee believes it starts at home.

"It comes from a lack of food, it comes from a lack of resources," Greenlee said.

Despite that, Greenlee said there's a need for more programs to get the youth off the streets, and that teen crime is an issue that will take everyone to solve.

News Source : https://www.wkrn.com/news/local-news/nashville/minors-are-being-charged-with-violent-crimes-at-an-alarming-rate-in-nashville/