One suspect was killed and two victims, including a juvenile, were injured in a shooting that police said was connected to a drug-related attempted robbery. Two more suspects remained at large.
The shooting happened in the 100 block of Tanglewood Court at the Whispering Oaks Apartments, just off of Harding Place, after 8 p.m. Saturday.
Authorities confirmed the man who was killed was one of the suspected robbers, 37-year-old Brad Gill.
A 15-year-old victim was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, and a second victim, age 21, was also taken there in critical condition.
The 15-year-old told officials he heard a commotion in the living room and saw the 21-year-old being held at gunpoint on the floor. He added he did not know the suspects. At some point, both the 15-year-old and 21-year-old were shot.
The brother of the 21-year-old, identified as 27-year-old Sean Thomas, had just arrived to visit. He noticed something was happening, grabbed his gun, headed to the apartment door, and shot Gill as the suspected robbers ran out. Gunfire was returned.
Officials said two other robbery suspects fled from the scene. They discovered multiple pounds of marijuana at the scene.
Karry Knox, a nurse who was visiting her daughter and heard the gunshots, said she went to one of the victims found in a vehicle.
"I put on my gloves and went to the car to first and foremost keep him alert as to who he was and where he was, to keep him from losing consciousness," Knox said.
"To know that there were three victims and there's a mother out there who has lost her child," Knox continued, "you know, I'm a mother of 4, I can't even begin to understand or even empathize as to what that feels like, but my heart and condolences and prayers as well goes out to the family because my four children are still alive."
Officials said they were gathering evidence at the scene.
"I would say to the young people out here, it's not worth losing a life. Twenty years ago we could have a disagreement and we could talk and start getting along, but now everything seems to revolve around the old Westerns, you know, shoot 'em up," Knox said.
No identities were released. The investigation remained ongoing.
