A civil court dispute in Nashville did not stay confined to the courtroom on Tuesday. Hours after facing two women in a civil case, a man allegedly tracked them down and threatened to shoot them, landing himself in handcuffs.
Officers were called to a residence on Main Street after the woman reported that the man pulled up behind them, stepped out of his vehicle, and explicitly said he would shoot them. One woman told investigators she spotted what she described as a "black metal piece" and genuinely believed he was about to follow through on the threat.
According to WSMV, the affidavit identifies the suspect as James Buchanan and notes that the woman had just faced him in civil court earlier that day over an undisclosed matter. The affidavit states that Buchanan allegedly blocked the victims and refused to let them leave. One of the women also told officers she had been FaceTiming with Buchanan two days earlier when he showed a gun on the call and made threats. Both victims said they were in fear and believed he was going to shoot them.
What the charge means
Authorities charged Buchanan with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, a serious offense under Tennessee law that covers assaults involving the use or display of a weapon. Under the Tennessee Code, aggravated assault that involves a deadly weapon or causes serious bodily injury is a felony and can bring significant prison time, depending on the details of the case. Prosecutors will decide on the precise charges and any possible sentencing enhancements as the investigation and court filings move forward.
The affidavit quoted by WSMV underscores that the women "were in fear and believed the defendant was going to shoot them," and reiterates that one of them saw what was described as a "black metal piece." Buchanan was arrested and booked on an aggravated assault with a deadly weapon charge.
