Man shot in alleged random attack outside Portland gym, suspect found dead

Katie Nixon, Nashville Tennessean
·2 min read
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One man was shot, and the suspect was found dead after a shooting outside a Planet Fitness in Portland Wednesday.

The shooting took place in front of the international gym and fitness club Planet Fitness on W. Knight St. in Portland at about 9:40 a.m. Wednesday, according to a press release.

More: Portland Police launch investigation after shots fired injure person near Planet Fitness

Officers discovered an adult male suffering from a gunshot wound to the face at the scene.

"Him turning his head at the right moment probably saved his life," Portland Police Department Interim Chief Jason Arnold said. "It hit him and did some pretty good damage."

He was transported by emergency medical services to TriStar Skyline Medical Center on Dickerson Pike in Nashville, where he's being treated for non-life-threatening injuries.

His identity has not been released.

The suspect, Coltin James Lynch, fled the scene, the release said.

Officers searching for the suspect were contacted by officials with the Allen County Sheriff Department in Scottsville, Kentucky, who had located Lynch.

He was found deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound in Allen County, Kentucky.

"We are very thankful no one else was injured and we are extremely grateful for the assistance provided by the Sumner County Sheriff's Office, the Sumner County Emergency Management Agency, the Hendersonville Police Department, the 18th JDDTF, Sumner County EMS, the Portland Fire Department, the Kentucky State Police, the Allen County Sheriff's Office, and all other Agencies that offered assistance," Arnold said in the release.

Investigators haven't determined a motive for the shooting, but believe the incident was a random act of violence.

"They did know each other as far as we can tell," he said.

This is an ongoing investigation.

Katie Nixon can be reached at knixon@gannett.com.

This article originally appeared on Nashville Tennessean: Man shot in alleged random attack at Portland gym, suspect found dead