NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Metro police say a self-defense claim is under investigation after an overnight fatal shooting in South Nashville.
On Saturday around 12:30 a.m. 49-year-old Phillip Hawkins Jr. was shot and killed outside his home on the 4000 block of Scotwood Drive.
Officers found Hawkins dead in the front passenger seat of a white sedan with a gunshot wound to the chest.
51-year-old Angela James called 911 to report the shooting and said she had been driving Hawkins around the city looking for his truck which was apparently driven by another acquaintance.
She says Hawkins grew increasingly agitated and held her at gunpoint, forcing her to drive for about 2 hours.
The conflict reportedly turned physical when they arrived to the house on Scotwood Drive.
At that point they began to struggle over the gun.
During the exchange the gun fired and hit Hawkins in the chest.
Detectives are still investigating the incident.
