NASHVILLE, Tenn. — While newly released FBI statistics show violent crime in Tennessee has declined over the past five years, this past weekend painted a far grimmer picture for Nashville. In just two days, police responded to three separate shootings — one of them fatal.
Fatal Shooting Outside Madison Gas Station
The most serious incident occurred shortly before 10 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 9, when gunfire broke out in the parking lot of the MAPCO gas station in the 1300 block of Neelys Bend Road, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department. The victim, identified as 25-year-old Chris Bond II, died at TriStar Skyline Medical Center.
Investigators say the suspect, 36-year-old Timothy Lamar Williams, fled in his vehicle but was later arrested at an apartment complex on Cheyenne Boulevard. Williams is now facing a felony criminal homicide charge.
Neighborhood residents expressed shock at the violence. “It’s really crazy because I come here very often, live here, and my little siblings, my mom, my family come over here a lot, so it’s kind of scary,” Madison resident Jayden Pyant told WKRN News 2.
South Nashville Bar Shooting Injures Woman
The Madison shooting was not the only act of violence over the weekend. Around 3 a.m. Saturday, a woman was shot in the leg while sitting inside a vehicle outside a bar in the 100 block of Lafayette Street in South Nashville. Police say the gunfire followed an altercation between a security guard and a patron at the bar, according to WKRN.
East Nashville Apartment Complex Shooting
On Sunday afternoon, Aug. 10, another man was wounded in a shooting at an East Nashville apartment complex on Dellway Villa Road. Authorities say the victim was taken to the hospital, but no updates on his condition were provided (source).
Community Concerns Despite Statewide Progress
Recent FBI data shows a notable decline in violent crime across Tennessee, but residents like Marcus Boyd say Nashville still faces challenges. “I agree with that crime rate going down, but carjacking [is] going up, so it’s a lot to work on in the community and the whole Nashville,” he said…