One Dead After Shooting in Nashville’s Opry Mills Mall

A young man has died as the result of a gunshot wound after an apparent dispute within the Opry Mills Mall. On Thursday (5/3), news broke of gun shots from inside the Nashville-area mall where 22-year-old Demarco Churchwell was shot and killed.

22-year-old Justin Golson has reportedly been charged with criminal homicide after surrendering outside of the mall.

According to WSMV, Metro Nashville Police report that two or three people were involved in a physical dispute in the hallway across from Old Navy. One of the men fired two shots, with one striking Churchwell in the neck. He was transported to TriStar Skyline Medical Center, where he later died from his injuries.

It is reported that Golson worked at the mall at a shoe shining kiosk and knew the victim. The alleged feud began with one of Churchwell’s relatives in March, Golson told police.

Churchwell’s girlfriend was also detained by police after a witness claimed they saw a handgun in her purse and she failed to slow down to talk to officers. According to the news outlet, Alexandria Lavender did not have a handgun permit and was charged with theft of property – $1,000 or less and possession of a weapon.

The Opry Mills Mall remained closed on Thursday evening, issuing the following statement:

“Opry Mills Management would like to take a moment to thank the swift and courageous response of the Nashville Police Department with respect to a situation that took place earlier today on our property. We are cooperating fully with investigators and offering any assistance we can. We would direct any additional questions regarding today’s incident to law enforcement.”

The property later tweeted that they would open for normal business hours beginning Friday morning (5/4).

While police maintain that the shooting was an isolated incident, they did say that there would be an increased police presence on site.