Early Saturday morning on Interstate 24 near the Waldron Road exit bordering Rutherford and Davidson counties a tragic shooting claimed the life of 22-year-old Noah Taylor, a Smyrna resident. Taylor, who was reportedly driving to his workplace, was struck by gunfire during the drive. His family has since confirmed his identity and expressed the devastating impact of the loss.
In response to the unexpected tragedy, Taylor’s family has launched a GoFundMe campaign aimed at covering his funeral expenses. His aunt, Rachel Jacob, shared that the family was caught off guard both emotionally and financially, urging community support to provide a “peaceful goodbye” for him . The fundraiser illustrates the financial burden typically imposed on families following sudden fatal incidents.
Meanwhile, authorities have closed westbound lanes of I‑24 at approximately 8:30 a.m. to conduct their investigation. Traffic was rerouted off at Waldron Road, causing delays for early commuters. The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office is taking the lead on investigating the circumstances around the shooting.
Law enforcement officials are asking anyone with information or video footage from the scene to come forward to aid in the investigation. Witnesses or those with dashcam or surveillance footage are encouraged to call the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office at 615‑904‑3052. As of now, no suspects have been publicly identified, and details about the motive or shooter remain limited.