Metro PD: 3 officers shoot, kill man who charged at them with knife

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Metro Nashville police say three of its police officers shot and killed a man who charged at them with a knife early Wednesday morning.

The call came in shortly after 5 a.m. along Charlotte Pike in West Nashville.

Kristin Mumford with the Metro Nashville Police Department said K9 officer Richard Clemmons stopped at a Cricket Wireless store after seeing a Toyota 4Runner sitting in the parking lot at 5:05 a.m. Police said when K9 officers aren't on an active call, they conduct business checks.

When Officer Clemmons approached the SUV, he saw that the man was armed with a knife. He ordered the suspect to put down the weapon and radioed for backup.

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Officer Clemmons can be heard on the bodycam video telling the man to "put the knife down." He continues saying, "C'mon man, I'm just here checking on you. Put the knife down. I'm just here to help you bro. Put the knife down... it's not worth it man."

Two additional officers arrive just before the man gets out of the SUV and charges at officers. That's when the three officers fire at the suspect and he falls to the ground.

The man was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he died.

It’s unclear how many times he was shot. Spokesperson Don Aaron said police provided aid at the scene.

Police tentatively identified him as a 31-year-old man who, according to his driver’s license, is from a suburb of Birmingham, Ala. Investigators said it’s unclear as to why he was there, why he had the knife or why he charged at uniformed police officers.

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West Precinct Ofc. Collin Bleem and Ofc. Johnathan Phipps were the two additional officers who responded to the scene. None of the responding officers were injured in the incident.

Because it was a deadly shooting involving Metro police officers, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation will conduct the investigation.