What This Story Is About
Security fatally shot a man Thursday morning after he allegedly pulled out a gun and knife inside the federal courthouse in downtown Nashville.
Why It Matters
The shooting happened in a busy courthouse frequented by citizens, judges and important officials like U.S. senators.
What Happens Next
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation is taking over the investigation into the shooting.
For Context
Officials say the suspect, an out-of-state man in his 40s, died after being transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) – Security fatally shot a suspect Thursday morning at a federal courthouse in downtown Nashville, according to authorities.
Police officers and first responders swarmed the Fred D Thompson Federal Building & Courthouse at 719 Church Street shortly at about 9:30 a.m.
Officials say the suspect, described as a man in his 40s, pulled out a pistol and tried to fire, but the gun did not go off. He then pulled out a knife, and that’s when security discharged their firearm, officials said in a press conference.
1:45 p.m. – The suspect’s vehicle was towed away from downtown Nashville.
11:21 a.m. – After initially sharing plans to reopen, library officials say they will now keep the Main Library closed for the rest of Thursday.
11:16 a.m. – Watch back the full press conference following the shooting here.
11:15 a.m. – Library officials say the Main Library in downtown Nashville will reopen at 11:30 a.m. It was evacuated after the shooting.
10:49 a.m. – The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation will take the lead on investigating the shooting, officials said in a press conference.
10:46 a.m. – Police say the suspect “has ties to Nashville,” but they did not elaborate on the exact link.
10:43 a.m. – The suspect did not make it past the courthouse security checkpoint, a spokesperson said. The checkpoint is a critical measure to protect U.S. senators and other people entering the building.
10:42 a.m. – The suspect in the courthouse shooting was from out-of-state, according to MNPD. Officers and police K-9s searched the car and found nothing threatening, police said.
10:40 a.m. – Police say a courthouse security officer fired shots at the suspect after they entered the building armed with pistol. The suspect reportedly tried to discharge his gun, but it didn’t fire, according to MNPD.
“This is the first time anything like this has happened at this courthouse,” the police spokesperson said.
10:37 a.m. – The suspect in the courthouse shooting has died after being transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, a Metro Nashville Police spokesperson said during a press conference.
10:34 a.m. – WSMV4 has reached out to the FBI, U.S. Marshals and the U.S. Attorneys Office for information on the shooting.
10:30 a.m. – Investigators are speaking with security at the courthouse to better understand the events leading up to the shooting.
It remains unclear if anyone has been injured, but first responders have responded to the scene.
10:20 a.m. – WSMV crews share photos from outside the courthouse. Police have put up crime scene tape and cordoned off the area.
10:14 a.m. – The Metro Nashville Police Department says that because the shooting happened on federal property, federal authorities will be in charge of investigating.
10:10 a.m. – Nashville Public Library’s Main Library branch in downtown is being evacuated following a reported shooting at a nearby federal courthouse.
Police did not say if they have confirmed the shooting or if anyone has been hurt. WSMV4 has crews on the way working to learn more.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
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