Three Men Convicted in 2023 Hendersonville Murder

Victim's father remembers son three years after tragic shooting

Apr. 8, 2026 at 3:51am

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An extreme close-up photograph of a single bullet casing on a dark surface, lit by a harsh, direct camera flash, conceptually illustrating the physical evidence of a violent crime.The harsh flash of a camera captures the grim physical evidence of a tragic shooting that shook a Tennessee community.Today in Nashville

Three men have been convicted of murder in the 2023 shooting death of a 21-year-old man in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Woodrow Sales, Dominic Smith, and Quentin Taylor each face life in prison for the killing of Mark McCord Jr., a case prosecutors said involved three armed, masked suspects who opened fire at a home where McCord had recently moved. Authorities said McCord was not the intended target.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing issue of gun violence and the devastating impact it can have on families. The fact that McCord was an innocent bystander in this incident raises questions about public safety and the need for stronger measures to prevent such tragedies.

The details

According to prosecutors, the three suspects fled the scene after the shooting, leading to a multi-county chase before they were taken into custody. A fourth person, Infyja Mitchell, is also charged in connection with the case and is expected to appear before a judge at a later date. For McCord's father, a Nashville firefighter, the case has been about more than the outcome in court, as he remembers his son as an energetic and driven young man who competed in ROTC and always aimed to make his parents proud.

  • The shooting occurred on February 8, 2023.
  • The three suspects were convicted three years after the killing, in 2026.

The players

Woodrow Sales

One of the three men convicted of murder in the 2023 shooting death of Mark McCord Jr.

Dominic Smith

One of the three men convicted of murder in the 2023 shooting death of Mark McCord Jr.

Quentin Taylor

One of the three men convicted of murder in the 2023 shooting death of Mark McCord Jr.

Mark McCord Jr.

The 21-year-old victim who was killed in the 2023 shooting in Hendersonville, Tennessee.

Mark McCord Sr.

The father of the victim, Mark McCord Jr., who remembers his son as an energetic and driven young man.

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What they’re saying

“There was no connection whatsoever. No cell phone evidence... nothing.”

— Mark McCord Sr., Father of victim

“Very energetic, aimed to please his mother and I both. He loved to compete, a great man.”

— Mark McCord Sr., Father of victim

“When we came out, the whole hospital was filled with chiefs and commanders from the fire department there to support me right off the bat.”

— Mark McCord Sr., Father of victim

What’s next

A fourth person, Infyja Mitchell, is charged in connection with the case and is expected to appear before a judge at a later date.

The takeaway

This tragic case underscores the need for continued efforts to address gun violence and support grieving families in the aftermath of such senseless acts. The outpouring of support from first responders in the community highlights the importance of community solidarity in the face of tragedy.