NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Authorities are not filing charges at this time in connection with Wednesday evening’s shooting at an Antioch auto shop that led to the death of a man who allegedly wounded an employee.
The Metro Nashville Police Department said the shooting happened around 5 p.m. on Wednesday, Aug. 30 at the Valvoline Instant Oil Change in the 1100 block of Bell Road.
According to investigators, two men were shot; one was pronounced dead at the scene and the other was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center with non-life-threatening injuries.
Authorities said the man who died has been identified as 33-year-old Larry Johnson Jr.
The investigation shows Johnson drove to Valvoline in a Chrysler 300, requested air for one of his tires, became agitated at the lack of immediate service, retrieved the air compressor hose, and started filling up his own tire, police said.
However, a 22-year-old Valvoline employee reportedly told Johnson he couldn’t do that and took back the air compressor hose. This led to an argument, which resulted in the 32-year-old manager telling the man to leave, according to officials.
Investigators said Johnson punched the 22-year-old employee in the face, so the employee pushed him. Then, the manager allegedly tried to break up the fight, but it continued to escalate.
Authorities said the manager went to his vehicle in the parking lot and retrieved a pistol, noting that the employee and Johnson were still fighting when the manager walked back.
According to police, the employee pushed Johnson into the driver’s seat of the Chrysler and walked away, but Johnson grabbed a pistol from the rear passenger floorboard, stood up behind the open driver’s door, and fired several rounds at the employee.
When he saw Johnson open fire, the manager reportedly fired a shot at Johnson, hitting him in the head. Johnson died at the scene.
Meanwhile, the employee was taken to a local hospital with wounds to his arm and hip, but as of Thursday, Aug. 31, he is in stable condition, officials said.
During the manager’s interview at Metro police headquarters, he allegedly told investigators he shot Johnson in self-defense. He was released after the interview.
After the shooting, authorities said another man — identified as 31-year-old David Lee Harris — came into the business, retrieved Johnson’s gun, and fled. Harris was arrested Thursday, Sept. 7 at a homeless camp off Cane Ridge Road and charged with evidence tampering. The gun has not been recovered.
Officials said members of the District Attorney’s Office will handle the case once the investigation is complete.
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This is a developing story. WKRN News 2 will continue to update this article as new information becomes available.