Kerry Willerton Shooting Death in Nashville Tennessee

Kerry Thomas Willerton was a 46-year-old resident of Hendersonville, Tennessee. Known among friends and family for his affable nature and quick wit, he worked in facilities management and often helped neighbors with odd jobs on weekends. A devoted partner to his girlfriend, Julia Waters, and a cherished son and brother, Kerry spent much of his free time exploring Nashville’s parks and local eateries. In the weeks before the incident, those closest to him described Kerry as in high spirits: he had recently completed a home renovation project and was planning a fishing trip with his nephew. His sudden and violent death would shock the community and leave a void in the lives of many who admired his warmth and generosity.

Nashville Traffic and Road-Rage Climate

In mid-2021, Nashville’s interstate arteries were notorious for heavy commuter traffic, with I-65 serving as a major north-south corridor through the heart of the city. Following a surge in local population growth, rush-hour congestion regularly spilled into off-peak hours. Concurrently, law enforcement and local media reported an uptick in aggressive driving and road-rage incidents, ranging from verbal altercations to physical confrontations. Community leaders urged motorists to remain calm behind the wheel, but the frustration of stop-and-go traffic often led to heated exchanges among drivers. It was against this backdrop of tension on Nashville’s roadways that Kerry’s fatal encounter would take place.

Events Leading Up to June 1, 2021

On the afternoon of June 1, 2021, Kerry set out from his Hendersonville home for a routine drive into Nashville. He planned to meet a contractor about a small renovation job and then pick up parts for his vintage motorcycle project. Traffic on I-65 north was moderate, with occasional slowdowns near exit ramps. Around 3:00 p.m., he was traveling between the Trinity Lane exit and the split with I-24 when another vehicle—a white Chevrolet four-door pickup—approached from behind. Witnesses later reported that the truck struck the rear of Kerry’s sedan, prompting him to pull onto the highway shoulder to assess potential damage.

The Road-Rage Confrontation

After coming to a stop on the right shoulder, Kerry exited his vehicle to confront the pickup driver. According to his girlfriend’s later account, he waved his hands in frustration but remained non-confrontational in tone. The driver of the white Chevrolet, described as an older, thin white man with graying hair and a beard, also exited his truck. A brief conversation—or perhaps a shouted accusation—ensued. It was at this moment that the situation turned deadly.

The Fatal Shooting

At approximately 3:19 p.m., witnesses heard a single gunshot. Kerry, standing just a few feet from his car, stumbled backward and fell to the pavement. Initial assumptions by those nearby were that he had been struck by some kind of projectile—perhaps an airsoft BB—but the reality was far more serious. The bullet had penetrated Kerry’s torso, inflicting severe internal injuries. The shooter—panic-stricken or emboldened by anger—re-entered the white pickup and sped away northbound on I-65 before first responders could arrive.

Discovery and Medical Response

Unaware of the severity of his wound, Kerry believed he had only sustained a minor injury. When his girlfriend, Julia Waters, returned to check on him later that evening, she found him coherent and in surprisingly good spirits, though she noted a small bruise on his side. Kerry declined medical attention, insisting he felt fine and that any discomfort would fade overnight. Tragically, the true extent of his injuries became apparent the following morning. Julia arrived at their home to find him unresponsive. Emergency services pronounced him dead upon arrival at a nearby Hendersonville hospital.

Official Law Enforcement Response

Metro Nashville Police Department responded swiftly once the shooting was reported. Dispatch logs confirm that the 911 call came in at 3:19 p.m., noting “shots fired, two vehicles involved, subjects on the shoulder.” By the time officers reached the scene, both vehicles had fled. The case was assigned to Homicide Detective Derry Baltimore, who oversaw evidence collection, canvassing of witnesses, and coordination with Crime Stoppers. Investigators processed shell casings found at the edge of the shoulder and took photographs of skid marks and debris. They also recovered Kerry’s vehicle’s damaged bumper, which bore clear signs of a forceful impact.

Witness Accounts and Vehicle Description

A handful of motorists who passed the scene provided crucial descriptions to investigators. They recalled seeing a white Chevrolet four-door pickup equipped with tinted windows, a heavy-duty winch mounted on the front bumper, and a customized license plate featuring an American flag motif. Some witnesses noted that the truck bore aftermarket steel wheels and a slight lift, suggesting it was owned by an enthusiast of off-road or utility vehicles. The driver, they said, was an older white male, lean in build, with noticeable gray in his hair and beard. Despite these details, fear or uncertainty prevented many from staying at the scene to speak with detectives immediately.

Community and Family Efforts

In the days following Kerry’s death, his girlfriend Julia Waters and family friend Felicia King took to the streets of Nashville and Hendersonville. They handed out flyers displaying the suspect vehicle’s description and urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers. Local businesses displayed the flyers in their windows, and social media channels helped the images reach a wider audience. Julia organized a small vigil at the site of the shooting, where friends, coworkers, and neighbors left flowers, candles, and handwritten notes in Kerry’s memory. Each act of remembrance underscored the family’s belief that public awareness might finally spark a breakthrough in the investigation.

Legislative Context and New Tools for Justice

In the aftermath of the shooting, Tennessee lawmakers passed legislation aimed at curbing violent road-rage incidents. One law authorized the use of interstate surveillance cameras in criminal investigations, easing previous legal hurdles. Another measure reclassified the act of discharging a firearm from a moving vehicle as a Class C felony, increasing potential sentences for offenders. While these laws did not retroactively apply to Kerry’s case, they signaled a shift in state policy to support law enforcement efforts and deter similar tragedies on Tennessee’s highways.

Impact on Nashville and Ongoing Investigation

Kerry’s death had a profound effect on the Nashville community. Local news outlets ran multiple stories highlighting the dangers of road-rage violence and the need for drivers to de-escalate conflicts. Law enforcement officials reiterated the importance of reporting suspicious behavior immediately rather than confronting other motorists directly. Meanwhile, Detective Baltimore and his team continued to follow leads, re-interviewing witnesses and analyzing traffic-cam footage from the day of the shooting. Although they reportedly had a suspect’s name, no arrest had been made as of May 2025. The case remains open, and Detective Baltimore encourages anyone with new information to reach out.

Conclusion and Call for Justice

More than three years after Kerry Willerton was gunned down on I-65, his family persists in their quest for justice. They draw strength from memories of Kerry’s warm smile and generous spirit, determined that his death will not go unanswered. The combination of community vigilance, legislative reform, and sustained investigative pressure offers hope that the person responsible will one day be held accountable. Until then, those who loved Kerry continue to honor his memory by reminding motorists everywhere to choose patience over confrontation and to speak up when they see violence unfolding on the road.