NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — A man is charged with criminal homicide after reportedly shooting and killing a man inside the Target in West Nashville Sunday night.
Metro Police responded around 7:30 p.m. to the Target on Charlotte Pike. The store was evacuated.
Officials say 40-year-old Avery Collier was shot outside the electronics department. He died in the store.
According to police, the suspect is identified as 29-year-old David Van Dyke. MNPD Spokesperson Don Aaron said Van Dyke had purchased items before the shooting happened.
Metro police said Van Dyke and Collier, who did not know each other, got into an argument at the front of the store as Collier and his girlfriend were entering the Target. A few minutes later, the two got into another argument near the electronics department when police say Van Dyke shot Collier once from a distance, then several more times after Collier had hit the ground.
After the shooting, Van Dyke reportedly left the store and went to his car.
After officers arrived, they say Van Dyke returned to the front of the store, placed his gun in a planter and told them he was responsible.
He was taken to police headquarters for questioning and then booked into jail at about 12:45 a.m. Monday on a charge of criminal homicide. He was being held on a $1 million bond.
Target reopened on Monday at its regularly scheduled hours.
A Target spokesperson released a statement:
"The safety and security of our guests is Target’s top priority. Earlier this evening, one guest shot another in the Target store on Charlotte Pike. We immediately evacuated the building, called law enforcement and focused on keeping our team and guests safe. The store is currently closed while the Metro Nashville Police Department investigates the shooting. We’ve shown Metro Nashville PD the security videos and will provide them with whatever they need for their investigation."
