In a quiet stretch of Nashville’s Bellevue neighborhood, Tuesday morning’s calm shattered when a 62-year-old man was found dead in his apartment — and, by afternoon, police had arrested his 20-year-old co-tenant, charging her with criminal homicide.
The victim has been confirmed as Mahmoud Z. Al-Bunni, and the arrested suspect is Hailey J. Hall, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department. Authorities say Hall is being held over the fatal shooting that occurred just after 7:30 a.m. in the 6900 block of Highway 70 South.
According to investigative accounts, a male roommate returned home and immediately sensed something was wrong. He called 911 after seeing Hall standing in the doorway of the bedroom shared by Hall and Al-Bunni. Looking inside, the roommate found Al-Bunni motionless on the floor and Hall allegedly told him she had shot him. The roommate’s call prompted the swift arrival of law enforcement and emergency personnel.
By the time officers got there, Hall was already in custody — she was arrested at the scene, without resistance. She reportedly declined to answer questions from detectives about her motives or what led to the shooting. The weapon believed to have been used was recovered from the apartment and is now part of the growing body of forensic evidence under review.
A judicial commissioner has set Hall’s bond at $100,000, and authorities have indicated that additional charges could be in the works depending on the outcome of the investigation. Meanwhile, a chaplain is working with police to notify the victim’s next of kin.
Word of the killing stunned neighbors in the normally quiet residential complex. Many described the area as peaceful and relatively safe — one resident put it plainly: “It’s just heartbreaking… you never expect something like this to happen right next door.” With lingering questions over motive, the nature of Hall’s relationship with the victim, and how their living arrangement may have factored in, detectives are urging anyone with knowledge of the case to come forward and assist with the ongoing investigation.
