SMYRNA, Tenn. (WTVF) — A gas station clerk is dead after being shot by a man Tuesday morning.
According to the Smyrna Police Department, officers responded to a reported armed robbery attempt around 3 a.m. at a Shell Fuel Station on Stonecrest Blvd.
Police determined that a man entered the gas station, displayed a handgun and demanded money from the register. He then proceeded to shoot the clerk before fleeing the store.
On Wednesday, Smyrna police identified the suspect as 31-year-old Keanthony Williams. Williams had charges placed on him for crimes committed in Brentwood and Smyrna, which led to his arrest at a home in Davidson County.
The Brentwood Police Department, Metro Nashville Police Department and Tennessee Bureau of Investigations all worked in conjunction with Smyrna Police Department investigators to charge Williams with Attempted Aggravated Robbery and 1st Degree Murder.
The clerk who was shot and killed in this robbery has been identified by police as 34-year-old Nicholas Patterson.
The Shell Gas Station on Stonecrest Boulevard and Sam Ridley Parkway was closed after the shooting for an undetermined amount of time.
Orange cones and SUVs blocked the entry ways, the gas pumps and lights turned off as detectives worked to determine why Patterson, a nine-year store employee who was just doing his job, ended up shot dead and his killer on the run.
"I just think it's a sheer act of desperation. The guy needed cash for a fix. I mean, let's face it, at three o'clock in the morning. You know, that — I can't see any other explanation," said George Smith.
Smith and his wife are staying at a nearby hotel.
"I was just in there and there was a sweet young lady that works there, and I felt good when I came out of it. And I was going to go back today and that's not going to happen," Smith said.
Smyrna and Brentwood police investigators believe Williams is also responsible for a robbery at a Twice Daily gas station on Franklin Road on August 27.
"You can get straight to the interstate at three o'clock in the morning, there's no traffic. He could have somebody set up, waiting for him — gets the money, hops in the car on the interstate, gone. It's going to be hard to track him down," Smith said. "I just want them to catch him and make sure he's never able to do it again."
The investigation into this fatal shooting remains active as all involved law enforcement continue to interview witnesses and gather more information.
Shell Gas Station employees tell us the store will be closed until further notice. Twice Daily and their parent company, Tri Star Energy released the following statement:
Our thoughts and prayers are with the family of Nick Patterson, a nine-year team member who lost his life following an armed robbery at our store located at 500 Stonecrest Parkway in Smyrna, Tenn., on Aug. 30. We are deeply saddened by this tragic and senseless crime.
We are cooperating with local authorities to provide information and support they need in their investigation.
The safety of employees is our highest priority. We take security measures in our stores and conduct safety training for managers and employees.
Our company chaplain is helping those affected through this situation as we seek to respond in a timely and compassionate manner. Our priority is to support the family and our employees during this difficult time.
The store is closed until further notice.
