NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Metro Nashville Police said a suspected gunman is being charged with criminal homicide after one person died in a shooting at Opry Mills Mall following a dispute on Thursday.
Police said two or three people were involved in a physical dispute. One of the men fired at least two shots, striking the victim in the hallway across from the Old Navy store.
Police said Demarco Churchwell, 22, of Nashville, died after being taken to Skyline Medical Center.
Police said the suspected shooter. 22-year-old Justin Golson of Antioch, was arrested and is facing criminal homicide charges.
Police said the suspect fled the mall and ran to a ticket booth across the street near the Grand Ole Opry and placed the gun on the counter.
A retired California police officer helped take the suspect into custody, police spokesman Don Aaron said. The retired officer was in a ticket booth near the mall when witnesses ran in screaming, "Shooter! Shooter!"
The suspected shooter, who was in the crowd, put a pistol on the counter and said he had acted in self defense. The retired officer took the gun and told the suspect to lay on the grass outside until police arrived, Aaron said.
Golson was taken to Hermitage Precinct for questioning.
According to authorities, Golson, who worked at the mall at a shoe shining kiosk, knew Churchwell. He told police their feud originated from a fight with one of Churchwell's relatives back in March.
Golson said Churchwell did not threaten him with a gun; however, police did recover two pistols from Churchwell's girlfriend, Alexandria Lavender.
Lavender, 21, was detained during the investigation. A witness reported seeing a gun inside Lavender's purse at the mall. Officers said they detained Lavender when she was slow to stop for officers at the mall. According to police, Lavender did not have a valid handgun permit. The weapon, a loaded 9mm Glock, was reportedly stolen from Davidson County. Lavender is charged with theft of property - $1,000 or less and possession of a weapon.
Opry Mills announced on Facebook that it would be closed on Thursday evening. They later tweeted that they'll open Friday morning for normal business hours. There will be an increased police presence at the mall, but police maintain that this was an isolated incident.
Opry Mills announced on Facebook that it would be closed on Thursday evening. It asked customers and mall employees to check back on Friday morning for updates.
Investigators don't believe there are any additional threats, but are sweeping the mall just in case. A spokesperson said earlier reports of another victim were false.
Police evacuated the mall and are blocked traffic from entering the mall area.
The nearby Grand Ole Opry house and Gaylord Opryland Resort & Convention Center are on lock-down.
Troopers from the Tennessee Highway Patrol were doing training in the parking lot, and responded quickly to help Metro Police set up a perimeter.
The ATF has also responded to the scene as part of the investigation.
The mall is about 15 miles north of a Waffle House where four people were killed in a shooting on April 22.