Officers shot and killed a man inside a federal courthouse in Nashville on Thursday following an incident in which the suspect brandished both a firearm and a knife in the building’s lobby, investigators said.
The confrontation began around 9:30 a.m. at the checkpoint of the Fred D. Thompson Federal Building & Courthouse. According to Nashville Metropolitan Police Public Affairs Director Don Aaron, an unidentified male in his 40s who was visiting from out of state attempted to pass through security while armed.
Aaron reported that the suspect tried to fire his pistol at the checkpoint, but the weapon malfunctioned and jammed. Following the jam, the man allegedly drew a knife and attempted to attack an officer, prompting the officer to discharge their weapon.
The suspect was transported to a hospital in critical condition and was later pronounced dead. Police stated that the man’s motive is currently under investigation.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation has taken over the probe. At a news conference, Assistant U.S. Attorney Rob McGuire emphasized the seriousness of the breach, stating, “Obviously, someone who is armed and brings a firearm into a federal courthouse is not acceptable, and we’re going to have to get to the bottom of what happened and then act accordingly.”
Authorities also confirmed that the suspect’s vehicle, left near the scene, is being searched. The incident prompted the evacuation of a nearby library as a precaution.
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