A Goodlettsville man is now facing homicide charges after a March 28 shooting inside a Donald Street home that left one person dead and others wounded, according to police. Residents at a house on the 500 block say they overpowered the suspected shooter and held him in a back bedroom until officers arrived, turning a frantic scene into an impromptu standoff in their own home. Investigators now classify the case as a homicide with two additional counts of attempted homicide.
Responding to an open 911 call on March 28, officers found 35-year-old Hilario Teletro Morente in the front room with multiple gunshot wounds, according to WKRN. Residents told police they heard gunfire inside the home and said the suspect allegedly opened fire on people who went to check on the commotion.
The Goodlettsville Police Department identified the suspected shooter as 41-year-old Brant Whaley, who is charged with one count of homicide and two counts of attempted homicide, according to WSMV. Officers say they found Whaley on the floor of a back bedroom after other residents disarmed him and restrained him until police took him into custody.
Charges and next steps
Investigators say the exact circumstances leading up to the shooting are still under review, and prosecutors will examine the evidence before deciding whether to file any additional charges, according to WKRN. Police have not released a possible motive and say detectives are continuing to track down leads and interview witnesses.
Neighbors' intervention prevented more violence
Authorities say the quick actions of people inside the home likely prevented further bloodshed. Residents reported that they managed to disarm Whaley and keep him pinned to the bedroom floor until officers reached the scene, according to WSMV. Police say Morente was found wounded in the front room, while Whaley was discovered at the rear of the house.
Context in Goodlettsville
The March shooting is the latest in a string of violent incidents in the city this year. In February, two people surrendered after warrants were issued in connection with a deadly Taco Bell parking lot shooting, according to Prism News. Those cases have heightened concerns among residents about public safety, and neighbors have been pressing for updates as detectives continue their work.
Anyone with information about the Donald Street shooting is urged to contact the Goodlettsville Police Department. The City of Goodlettsville lists the main city line for inquiries, and police are asking witnesses or anyone with relevant details to come forward as the homicide investigation continues.
