Security officer fatally shoots armed man at Nashville federal courthouse, USA
A security officer shot and killed a man Thursday morning after he brandished a gun that failed to fire and then pulled out a knife at the Fred D. Thompson Federal Building and Courthouse in Nashville, Tennessee.
- Time and location: The incident occurred around 9:30 a.m. local time at the main entrance/security checkpoint of the Fred D. Thompson U.S. Courthouse and Federal Building, 719 Church Street, in downtown Nashville.
- Sequence of events: An out-of-state man in his 40s entered the courthouse lobby and approached the security checkpoint with a pistol. He tried to fire the weapon, but it did not discharge. He then pulled out a knife and confronted a security officer, who shot him.
- Outcome: The suspect was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. No other injuries were reported.
- Investigation: The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) will lead the investigation into the shooting, Metro Nashville Police spokesperson Don Aaron said. Police searched the suspect’s car with K-9 units and found nothing threatening.
- Security response: A large police presence surrounded the courthouse, nearby streets were cordoned off with yellow tape, and a public library in the area was temporarily closed.
Police and official statements
Metro Nashville Police described the event as a “reported shooting call” and confirmed in a news conference that the armed individual never made it past the security checkpoint. Spokesperson Don Aaron said the suspect “attempted to fire his pistol, but the gun jammed,” then “pulled out a knife and attempted to attack an officer, which is when the officer opened fire.”
Authorities have not released the suspect’s name and said his motive remains under investigation.