NASHVILLE (AP) — An investigation was underway in Nashville on Monday after authorities say a police officer fatally shot a 47-year-old man who had pointed a gun at him.
The fatal shooting occurred Sunday evening in North Nashville when police responded to 911 calls from witnesses who said there was a man in the street with a gun. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation said in a statement the man was shot after refusing to obey a police officer’s command to drop the weapon. The man was taken to a hospital, where he died. No officers were injured.
The Metropolitan Nashville Police Department released audio recordings of two calls to 911, including one made by a person who said the man was walking the street armed and that “he needs to stop … before he gets something that he don’t need, because he’s pointing his gun, like seriously,” the caller said.
According to body camera and police vehicle video released by the police department, Officer Dylan Ramos arrived first at the scene and can be seen approaching a man. The officer says “sir, sir” repeatedly.
The man walks away, and moments later, the officer shouts: “Do not touch that! Drop the gun! Drop the gun!” Shots can then be heard. The first caller, who was still on the line with 911, can be heard shouting: ”Don’t shoot him!”
The entire interaction lasts about 20 seconds.
The officers rendered aid to the man, who was taken to a hospital, where he died, police said. Police were trying to notify next of kin, and his name hasn’t been released. Ramos, a three-year veteran of the department, was placed on routine administrative assignment while authorities investigate the shooting.
“TBI agents are working to independently determine the series of events leading to the shooting, including collecting evidence and conducting interviews,” the agency’s statement said. “The TBI acts solely as fact-finders in its cases and does not determine whether the actions of an officer were justified in these types of matters.
Meanwhile, the agency said it was also investigating a separate shooting in West Tennessee on Sunday involving the Dyer County Sheriff’s Office. Deputies were trying to serve a warrant on a man who refused to leave his truck, the bureau said in a statement.
After more than an hour of negotiation, “the encounter escalated and the deputy and individual exchanged gunfire, resulting in the man being struck,” the TBI said. Terry L. Noel, 50, of Dyersburg was pronounced dead at a nearby hospital.
The shootings come amid national calls for more police reform following the fatal beating of Tyre Nichols, a Memphis motorist.
Five officers involved in the Jan. 7 beating were charged last week with second-degree murder and other crimes in Nichols’ death. On Wednesday, a sixth officer was relieved of duty pending an ongoing investigation.
