Man Armed With Gun and Knife Shot and Killed by Officers Inside Nashville Federal Courthouse
The suspect allegedly attempted to fire his pistol, which jammed, before brandishing a knife at an officer.
Officers shot and killed a man inside the Fred D. Thompson Federal Building & Courthouse in Nashville on Thursday after he allegedly brandished a gun and then a knife, investigators said.
At approximately 9:30 a.m., a man in his 40s, who was from out of state, attempted to pass through the courthouse checkpoint while armed, according to Don Aaron, Nashville Metropolitan Police Public Affairs Director.
At the checkpoint, the suspect allegedly attempted to fire his pistol, but the gun jammed. He then reportedly pulled out a knife and attempted to attack an officer, at which point the officer opened fire, Aaron said.
The suspect was transported to the hospital in critical condition and later pronounced dead. The man's motive is currently under investigation.
Investigators are examining the suspect's vehicle, which was found near the scene. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation will lead the investigation into the incident.
"Obviously, someone who is armed and brings a firearm into a federal courthouse is not acceptable, and we're going to have to get to the bottom of what happened and then act accordingly," said Assistant U.S. Attorney Rob McGuire.
The situation led to the evacuation of a nearby library.