Deadly Salemtown shooting suspect indicted on federal charges

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A man accused of opening fire in a Salemtown restaurant on Easter Sunday, killing one and injuring several others, has been indicted by a federal grand jury for charges related to the March shooting, as well as another incident from last year in Murfreesboro.

On March 31, the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) said a gunman opened fire during brunch at Roasted Salemtown in the 600 block of Garfield Street. Allen Beachem, 33, was killed and seven others were sent to the hospital.

Authorities said the suspect in the shooting, Anton Rucker, was found at a home in Princeton, Kentucky , on April 2.

Rucker appeared in court for a preliminary hearing on April 19 , during which time a judge ruled, due to his extensive criminal history, including being a convicted felon with a federal hold in possession of a gun, he should remain in jail. His case was ultimately bound over to a Davidson County grand jury.

On Friday, July 19, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced a federal grand jury indicted the 47-year-old Murfreesboro man for unlawfully possessing ammunition stemming from his involvement in the shooting at Roasted Salemtown. The state has also charged Rucker with criminal homicide for that incident.

In addition, the indictment charged Rucker with unlawful possession of a firearm by a convicted felon following a road rage incident in Murfreesboro on Aug. 26, 2023.

According to the DOJ, Rucker passed another driver on a double yellow line and pulled in front of him, cutting the driver off and causing him to slam on his brakes to avoid a crash. Then, Rucker allegedly stopped his car, walked to the other driver’s vehicle, and started arguing with him before brandishing a gun.

Detectives from the Murfreesboro Police Department later searched Rucker’s home and found several firearms, officials said.

Authorities said the case is being investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF); the Murfreesboro Police Department; the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office; and the MNPD. Assistant U.S. Attorney Zachary T. Hinkle is prosecuting it.

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