3 killed, 2 injured in shootings over the weekend in Nashville
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Nashville saw a particularly violent weekend following the Fourth of July, with multiple shootings leaving three people dead and two injured in the span of just a few days.
Following the string of shootings, the latest data from the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) shows there have now been at least 47 homicides reported in Nashville and Davidson County since the beginning of 2024.
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The MNPD’s Crime Analysis Section releases a report with preliminary statistics every Tuesday, providing data on all part one offenses, including crimes such as homicide, rape, robbery and aggravated assault.
The latest data set only extends to June 29. However, the report shows that Nashville’s homicide rate is still down from last year when there were 51 homicides reported by the end of June.
A significant portion of homicides reported this year have continued to involve teens and children, with 20.5% of victims between the ages of 0 and 17. At least one of the shooting victims over the weekend was a teenager.
Charlotte Pike shooting
The first shooting took place just before 6:30 p.m. on Friday, July 5. Authorities said the victim, 35-year-old Jorge Noel Cruz-Garcia, had parked his vehicle outside a market on Charlotte Pike and gone inside the store.
As Cruz-Garcia was walking back to his vehicle, police said four gunmen emerged from another car in the parking lot and opened fire. Cruz-Garcia ran across the street and collapsed on Charlotte Pike.
SEE ALSO: Surveillance captures dozens of gunshots in deadly Charlotte Pike shooting
According to officials, the four gunmen then got back inside their car, drove toward Cruz-Garcia and shot him several more times while he was lying on the ground. The 35-year-old was taken to a local hospital where he died.
Police later said they found around 40 to 50 shell casings in the street. Dozens of gunshots could also be heard at a neighboring business, which reportedly captured the suspects’ vehicle on surveillance footage.
“While I was inside, [I] just heard the shots and the commotion outside,” said Rafael Winston, who was across the street during the shooting. “The yellow tape went up really fast; there were individuals in the roadway trying to help the young man that was the victim.”
Brick Church Pike shooting
Just about 24 hours later, on Saturday, July 6, police responded to another shooting in the 1200 block of Katie Avenue off Brick Church Pike. When officers arrived, they found one person with a single gunshot wound to the left thigh.
RELATED: 1 injured in shooting near Brick Church Pike Saturday evening
Witnesses at the scene told investigators the victim and suspect had been in an ongoing back and forth argument over the last few weeks. The suspect was said to be with his brother when they drove past the victim in a red Chevrolet Impala and opened fire.
Officials said the victim’s injuries were non-critical. As of Monday morning, it was still unclear whether any suspects were in custody.
Antioch Pike shooting
Another man was shot and killed with his own gun late Saturday night during a fight along Antioch Pike. According to police, the victim, who appeared to be a young adult, was riding his skateboard when he was approached by three people just after 11 p.m.
PREVIOUS: Man shot, killed with own gun during fight along Antioch Pike, police say
A fight then broke out, during which the victim could be seen dropping a pistol. Authorities said surveillance footage captured the moment one of the suspects grabbed the victim’s gun off the ground and used the weapon to shoot him.
After being shot, the victim ran off and eventually collapsed in front of a nearby business. Officials said the victim died at the scene. The three suspects are believed to have fled on foot. As of Monday morning, no other information had been released.
Percy Priest Lake shooting
Multiple shootings were also reported on Sunday, July 7, with the first taking place around 6 p.m. near Percy Priest Lake. Officers on scene told News 2 a 16-year-old boy was shot while in a car with two teenage friends.
SEE ALSO: Teen shot near Percy Priest Lake, transported to hospital
After the shooting, the teens pulled into the Dollar General parking lot on Anderson Road and called police. The 16-year-old was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for a gunshot wound to his back.
Authorities said the boy’s injury appeared to be “non-life-threatening.” As of Monday morning, no further details had been released on a possible suspect. Officials said victim and witness statements were conflicting.
Murfreesboro Pike shooting
A third man was shot and killed Sunday night in what investigators said appeared to be an attempted robbery. London Montgomery, 23, pulled into a strip mall off Murfreesboro Pike around 10 p.m. and backed into a parking space next to a Jeep Grand Cherokee.
Authorities said Montgomery was driving a Mercedes SUV that had been reported stolen. While in the parking lot, two suspects in the Jeep reportedly tried to rob Montgomery, leading to a fight.
As Montgomery began to drive off, officials said one of the suspects fired several rounds at him. He continued driving for a short distance before crashing into a retaining wall.
RELATED: Man shot, killed during attempted robbery in Antioch, police say
After being taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, police said Montgomery died as a result of the shooting. The suspects fled the area in the Jeep. Detectives believe the incident was drug related.
As of Monday morning, no suspects had been taken into custody. However, investigators at the scene told News 2 they were following leads.
Anyone with information on any of the shootings reported over the weekend is asked to call Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.
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