In an intense confrontation late Monday night, five men opened fire on an MNPD undercover detective, unleashing over 30 bullets before speeding off in a stolen vehicle, leading authorities on a chase that would end in their capture, as per a statement from the Nashville Government's official website. The detective, identified as Chris Lawson, fortunately escaped harm, quickly alerting other units to the gunmen's flight path.
According to the official press release, after they opened fire near Howerton Street and N. 6th Street, the assailants ditched their stolen Infiniti Q50 on the rims of Wilson County and fled into the dense woods, they were, however, apprehended with aid from an MNPD aerial unit and a canine squad who joined forces in a tight-knit manhunt that left no stone unturned.
The apprehended men, reported as Eric O. Mario, 23; Ronny I. Edmonds, 19; Mahamed M. Muganga, 18; Abraham G. Mario, 19; and Omar A. Yussuf, 18, are now facing an array of charges including aggravated assault on a first responder and gun theft, while evidence recovered included a collection of six firearms, two altered to fully-automatic functionality, according to the Nashville Government's news report. Among these, two guns had been reported stolen, highlighting a troubling link to broader criminal networks and inter-state illegal arms trade.
The incident was sparked as Detective Lawson, assigned to the TITANS Unit specializing in precision policing, conducted surveillance based on leads regarding a recent shooting suspect's whereabouts in the same vicinity where the altercation unfolded, he noticed the armed group by N. 6th Street and came under fire as he attempted a closer inspection, it demonstrated not just the perils law enforcement officers face, but also the brazenness of those who would attack them, this according to details provided by the Nashville Government claim.
The Nashville Police Department is now in discussions with the United States Attorney’s Office, contemplating the possibility of escalating the case to federal prosecution due to the gravity of the crimes committed, a move that may lead to severe consequences for the five apprehended men, as mentioned in the official statement.
