Four arrested after shots fired at officers, MNPD helicopter in southeast Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Shots were fired at officers and a police helicopter in an incident in southeast Nashville Monday afternoon, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD).

A spokesperson for MNPD said an undercover officer was conducting surveillance on an unrelated case at an apartment complex on Bridgeway Drive.

“I heard a bunch of gunshots and I was about to call it in on the non-emergency number ’cause we hear gunshots from time to time, but usually not this close,” neighbor Ian Shofinski, who was home with his young daughter, told News 2. “Before I knew it, there’s so many police cars — more police cars than I’ve seen in this neighborhood for sure.”

A post to X, formerly Twitter, from MNPD said that four “apparent juveniles” fled from a red Dodge on Patricia Drive. The post added they shot at an undercover MNPD vehicle and an airborne helicopter.

An MNPD spokesperson said an undercover truck was hit twice. Even though suspects shot at the department’s helicopter, the spokesperson said that upon examination, officers determined that it was not struck.

The post noted all four surrendered after running into a wooded area near Millwood Drive at Murfreesboro Pike. The spokesperson said the Tennessee Highway Patrol assisted with the apprehension. According to MNPD, area schools were notified during the search.

“One priority of the police department was to make sure that schools in the immediate area knew, as did schools’ transportation,” MNPD public information officer Don Aaron said. “Neighborhoods had to be blocked off as officers were going through neighborhoods trying to find these armed individuals.”

MNPD added charges against the four suspects are still pending.

“To think that they were in a vehicle, a high-powered vehicle like that, shooting a gun and then shooting at the police, shooting at a helicopter,” Aaron added. “I think Nashville should be glad at this moment that those four are in custody and we need to hold them accountable for what they’ve done.”

Metro police reported the 16-year-old driver of the car was charged with three counts of attempted murder for firing at the undercover officer and two-man helicopter crew. A 15-year-old front seat passenger was charged with one count of attempted murder for shooting at the undercover officer.

On Tuesday afternoon, MNPD posted a video from their helicopter to X, formerly Twitter. The post claimed to show the 16-year-old shooting at the helicopter.

“All four were apprehended about an hour later,” the post added. “Two guns were recovered at a tree. No charges were placed during the night against the 2 rear seat passengers, ages 13 and 14.”

No additional information was immediately released.

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