Early this morning, in the quiet of Nashville streets, a domestic dispute escalated into a violent confrontation involving a firearm and a quick-responding police officer. According to the official report from the Metro Nashville Police Department, 66-year-old John Carney was arrested after allegedly firing his gun towards a South Precinct officer.
Officer Dylon Mercado, who has been with the MNPD for just two years, approached the scene around 2:30 a.m. this morning on Plus Park Boulevard after hearing there was a domestic incident. Carney was reportedly chasing a woman, threatening her life. When Mercado intervened, he heard the sound of gunfire, Carney, then fled the scene — discarding his 9mm handgun in a nearby wooded area, the recovered weapon was later found by an ATF canine.
The report from the police department adds that Carney was apprehended without further incident and now faces charges including domestic assault, aggravated assault, and aggravated assault on an officer. Fortunately, Officer Mercado was not injured during the exchange.
Setting a bond at $55,000, the Davidson County authorities will now process Carney's case through the legal system.
