The tragic loss of Andre Bell, a 20-year-old sophomore and forward for the Fisk University Bulldogs men’s basketball team, has left the Nashville community and HBCU athletics in mourning. Bell, a business administration major from Jackson, Tennessee, was fatally shot on Sunday, January 11, 2026, while driving back to campus on Interstate 65 North near the I-40 interchange after volunteering at Fisk’s gymnastics meet.
According to Metropolitan Nashville Police, Bell was in a white Nissan Sentra with two friends when a dark (or black) sedan pulled alongside in the left lane and opened fire. Bell suffered a gunshot wound to the head, was rushed to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in critical condition, and succumbed to his injuries the following day. The incident remains under investigation, with no arrests reported and motive unclear. Two others in the vehicle were also shot but survived.
Bell was remembered as a dominant player on the court—standing 6’4″ and contributing to a recent win against Rust College, where he delivered a slam dunk and ran out the clock. Off the court, he embodied compassion, strong faith, and selflessness. Fisk head coach Jeremiah Crutcher described him as having an “infectious smile, loving personality, and unique ability to always bring warmth to a room.” His parents called him “the light we all needed,” a devoted brother who uplifted everyone with kindness.
In a final act of generosity reflecting his lifelong commitment to helping others, Bell’s family chose to donate his organs, ensuring his legacy endures through saving lives.
The Fisk community has paused basketball activities to grieve, with tributes planned. Bell’s death highlights the senseless violence plaguing communities, leaving teammates, friends, and family heartbroken over a promising life cut short.
