‘Dispute’ Leads To Deadly Opry Mills Mall Shooting

DONELSON, TN — A long-running dispute led to a shooting and a frightening scene at Opry Mills, a massive mall east of downtown Nashville, Thursday according to Metro Police.

Demarco Churchwell, 22, died after the shooting and the suspected shooter, 22-year-old Justin Golson of Antioch, was arrested, according to MNPD, and charged with criminal homicide.

The department said the shooter walked out of the mall and to a nearby ticket booth at the Grand Ole Opry House in order to surrender. A retired California police officer was there buying Opry tickets, took the gun and told the man to lie on the ground until Metro Police arrived.

Despite initial reports indicating up to four injuries, police said only one person - the man with whom the alleged shooter has had the lengthy dispute - was injured in the incident. That man was taken to Skyline Medical Center where he died.

Both Golson and Churchwell are “known to police,” department spokesman Don Aaron said. Golson said he shot in self-defense, according to detectives, and was being interviewed by investigators Thursday night.

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Police and Nashville Fire units were dispatched to Opry Mills after reports of an active shooter came in at 2:30 p.m., according to a dispatcher. Aaron said a fight involving the suspect, victim and perhaps another person started outside the Old Navy and ended in gunfire.

Numerous people on social media said they were locked down inside stores and restaurants. The adjacent Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Convention Center was locked down, as well. The McGavock Pike exit from Briley Parkway was also closed. Nearby schools were put on lock-out, barring visitors from coming inside.

One witness tweeted the Tennessee Highway Patrol was holding its annual motorcycle radio with law enforcement from across the country in the mall parking lot and that he alerted the troopers to the incident, who then immediately responded.

The Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives is dispatching agents to the scene.

Photos via Metro Nashville Police