‘I’m scared for my children’s life’: Bellevue residents raise safety concerns after deadly shooting

They said they’ve resorted to sleeping on the floor at night.
There is concern from neighbors who live at Forest Park Apartments in Bellevue after a man was shot and killed there. They say where they live isn't safe.
By Steve MehlingPublished: May. 3, 2024 at 5:55 PM CDTEmail This LinkShare on FacebookShare on X (formerly Twitter)Share on PinterestShare on LinkedIn

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - More than two weeks following a deadly shooting at a Bellevue apartment complex, residents are raising concerns about safety.

On April 20, Metro Nashville police said 37-year-old Dorsey Moorlet was shot and killed outside of the Forest Park Apartments.

[PREVIOUS: Police: Man killed in shooting outside Bellevue apartment]

“I’m scared for my life,” Forest Park tenant Demonica Eddings said. “I’m scared for my children’s life.”

Eddings said acts of violence, gunshots, and vandalism are not uncommon where she lives.

“I don’t feel like they’re [security] protecting or serving anything,” tenant Keyundra Willis said.

Both Eddings and Willis are mothers who are scared to take their children outside out of fear for their safety.

“[I’m worried] That they would get shot,” Eddings said. “That a group of people would come and attack them. They didn’t go to school today because they said they were going to shoot up the apartments in front of the security guards.”

Eddings isn’t alone. Multiple people told WSMV4 they feel unsafe, citing daily fights they worry could go south quickly.

Residents say police patrols are frequent on the front side of the complex, but back where they live, almost non-existent.

“But because no one’s died back here, they’re not going to do anything until someone does,” Willis said.

We asked MNPD about patrols at the apartment complex. Records show they’ve been there over 200 times in the past two weeks, most of the time as a proactive measure.

Forest Park also has its own security detail, but those living there say that doesn’t make them feel safer.

“I have children to protect,” Eddings said. “But I need the community to help me be able to protect our community.”

We’ve reached out to the apartment administration to see if they’ve been working with MNPD, but we have not heard back.

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