Pickleball Players Attacked Brutally in Hendersonville: Two 18-year-olds have been charged with aggravated assault after a group of pickleball players reported being fired upon at the new pickleball courts in Veteran’s Park, Hendersonville. The incident occurred on Oct. 4, just before 10 p.m., as players were wrapping up their games on the courts next to Mary’s Magical Place. According to the police affidavit, two men reported hearing gunfire resembling a BB gun. Despite changing courts, the shots persisted, and one player was struck in the ear, although no visible injury was observed.
Suspects Found Near Tree Line
Responding officers searched the area near the pickleball courts and discovered two suspects, Noah Hankins, 18, from Gallatin, and Ayden Money, 18, from Hendersonville, near the tree line.
The two teens confessed to shooting a lever-action BB gun in the vicinity but denied targeting anyone on the courts. They informed police of the gun’s location, which was later found in the grass by a dumpster. A container of BB pellets was also found in Money’s possession.
Eyewitness Accounts and Conflicting Statements
Despite their claims of shooting only at trees and fish, both suspects admitted they could see lights from the court and the outline of people. Eyewitnesses, including Hendersonville resident Haley Villacorta, confirmed the incident to police.
Villacorta recounted that her group heard what sounded like electrical wire popping before realizing they were being shot at. They moved to another court, but the shots continued, and another player was struck in the ear. Villacorta described the situation as “insane” and praised the police response.
Legal Consequences
Hankins and Money were taken into custody and charged with aggravated assault. Both were booked into Sumner County Jail on a $5,000 bond and are scheduled to appear in General Sessions Court on Oct. 23 at 10 a.m.
News in Brief: Pickleball Players Attacked Brutally in Hendersonville
Two 18-year-olds, Noah Hankins and Ayden Money, have been charged with aggravated assault after shooting BB pellets at pickleball players at Veteran’s Park, Hendersonville. The incident occurred on Oct. 4, when players heard what resembled gunfire from a BB gun. One player was struck in the ear but was unharmed.
Police found the suspects near the tree line and recovered the BB gun. While both teens admitted to shooting near the courts, they denied targeting players. Eyewitnesses confirmed the assault. Both men were jailed on a $5,000 bond and are set to appear in court on Oct. 23.
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