Murfreesboro police shoot, kill suspected robber inside closed restaurant

A Murfreesboro police officer shot and killed a man, suspected of the "strong armed robbery" of an armored truck Wednesday morning after he ran from the scene into a nearby restaurant.

Police were called to a shopping center on North Thompson Lane at about 9:13 a.m., according to Larry Flowers, a spokesperson for the department.

Police identified the suspect as 44-year-old Steven James Murphy of Murfreesboro.

Flowers identified Adam Claiborne, a five year veteran of Murfreesboro police, as the officer who fired the shots at Murphy.

Murphy originally approached the armored truck driver, but the driver produced a weapon, causing the suspect to flee, Flowers said during a news conference Wednesday.

Murphy retreated inside a Jason's Deli, where six employees were preparing to open for service. He then tried to rob the restaurant, Flowers said, noting that all of the employees were able to leave the scene safely.

"Once our officers arrived, one of our officers confronted the man and gave him various commands to produce his hands," Flowers said.

The man refused, he said. Murphy then "charged at him with two large knives," Flowers said.

"After repeated commands, our officer had to discharge his service weapon, striking the male subject multiple times," Flowers said.

Murphy was taken to a local hospital but later died, Flowers said.

"It's a sad day any time any resident in our city loses their life," he said. "Our heart goes out to his family, who will be grieving. Our hearts also go out to our officer who was involved in this because he and his family will have to deal with this as well."

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has been called in to investigate.

Claiborne will be on paid administrative leave until the end of the investigation, Flowers said.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Murfreesboro police fatally shoot robbery suspect at Jason's Deli