NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A 23-year-old man died after he was shot in the parking lot of Whites Creek High School Friday night.

It happened at around 8:10 p.m. during a basketball game against Pearl Cohn Magnet High School.

According to Metro police, James Nevils reportedly told those around him he was going to use the restroom during halftime but walked outside instead.

Police said he walked from the gymnasium to a nearby sidewalk where he met with two young men.

After conversing with them for 20 to 30 seconds, Nevils was shot and collapsed on the sidewalk, according to police.

A friend of Nevils went to check on him, found he had been shot and alerted authorities inside the school.

He was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center where he died around midnight.

Metro police said the two people the 23-year-old was talking to fled into the darkness. No suspect description was immediately released.

Students were held inside the gym while police worked the scene, but there was no other disruption to the basketball game. A lockout procedure was initiated for the safety of everyone inside.

Metro Nashville Public Schools spokesperson Joe Bass released a statement, which said the shooting “does not appear to be related to school activities.”

Detectives are interviewing Nevils’ friends and associates in an effort to learn why he went outside at halftime and whether he was expecting to meet someone.

Anyone with information regarding this shooting is asked to contact Crime Stoppers at 615-74-CRIME.