​’Cold blooded murder’: Hunt for 3 suspects in marina robbery, shooting

WILSON COUNTY, Tenn. (WKRN) — The search is on for three suspects wanted for an armed robbery and deadly shooting at a popular marina in Wilson County.

Investigators with the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office said it appeared that a “cold-blooded murder” unfolded in the parking lot of the Cedar Creek Marina and Restaurant off Saundersville Road around midnight on Saturday morning.

Deputies were called to investigate shots fired when they found a 27-year-old man shot in his car in the parking lot. They soon determined that the shooting followed an armed robbery at the marina’s restaurant. Captain Scott Moore, who serves as the Public Information Officer for the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office, spoke with News 2.

“It was cold blooded. You have suspects who assaulted a couple of employees inside the restaurant who [were] fleeing to their vehicle and someone who was innocently there get murdered,” Moore said. “I couldn’t imagine what the family is going through.”

The owner of the restaurant said they were closing up for the night and employees were counting money in an office when the hooded robbers got in and pistol whipped two of the employees before making off with the cash. The employees were treated and released at the scene.

The restaurant owner added that his heart goes out to everyone involved, especially the innocent bystander. That bystander appeared to be a boater. At the request of the family, Moore said that they are not yet releasing the name of the victim.

“It’s very possible he could have been there fishing or getting ready to or something like that but ya know innocent in the parking lot and ends up getting shot and it’s a very senseless act of malice,” Moore stated.

Mt. Juliet Police are working the restaurant robbery, while the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office has jurisdiction over the parking lot where the shooting occurred. Moore said that the two agencies are working diligently together along with the Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI).

“It’s something that we are going to be working around the clock on to try to get to very quick,” Moore said. “You don’t want to be so fast to where you leave something out or something like that. You want to systematically work together and cover everything that’s related to the incident that occurred,” he explained.

Moore added that they hope to release more information on the suspects soon.

Anyone who may have seen a vehicle speeding down Saundersville Road around midnight Saturday morning has been asked to contact the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office or Crime Stoppers as they continue working to gather surveillance footage in the area.

You can submit tips through the Wilson County Sheriff’s Office website and remain anonymous.

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