A 29‑year‑old man was arrested Monday after police say a routine traffic stop in East Nashville turned volatile when he lit a firework and threw it at officers. The incident unfolded near South Fourth Street and Fatherland Street and was captured on surveillance video, according to authorities. Officers treated the blast as an assault, and the suspect was taken into custody at the scene.
According to WKRN, court documents and video footage identify the suspect as Montez Peebles. Police say the footage shows Peebles igniting the device, tossing it toward officers at the intersection, then ducking behind a vehicle. Metro police told WKRN that when officers moved in to arrest him, they found cocaine, marijuana, and a loaded firearm that had previously been reported lost. Peebles was booked into the Metro jail following the arrest, according to the outlet.
Fireworks Rules in Nashville
Metro code lets residents set off certain fireworks July 3 through 5 between noon and 11 p.m., but it draws a hard line on where and how. Throwing fireworks from or into a motor vehicle is banned, and igniting them on public roads or near schools, parks or gas stations is also prohibited, per the Metro code change. Lawmakers put those limits in place to cut down on injuries and property damage around the holiday. That backdrop helps explain why, in this case, prosecutors are treating a tossed firework as more than just a bad idea.
Charges and Bond
Peebles faces three counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon against an officer, felony weapon possession, a misdemeanor fireworks violation, and drug possession. His bond was set at $87,000, according to WKRN. The aggravated assault counts allege that the firework was used as a deadly weapon against officers during the stop. Court records and the Metro jail roster will outline the next steps as the case moves through the Davidson County courts.
Legal Implications
Under Tennessee law, aggravated assault involving a deadly weapon is a felony that can bring multi‑year prison terms and fines, with penalties that can increase when the alleged victim is a law enforcement officer, according to Tennessee statutes. The separate weapons and drug charges add to the potential exposure if prosecutors secure convictions. How the case ultimately plays out will depend on what prosecutors can prove about Peebles’ intent and whether the firework or firearm was used in a way that meets the legal standard for causing or attempting to cause harm.
City Context
The arrest came as the city bolstered its police presence for Fourth of July events and repeatedly reminded residents that fireworks are tightly restricted and dangerous when used near people or on streets, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department. MNPD’s recent public messaging urged caution and emphasized that only permitted public fireworks shows are allowed downtown. Police and prosecutors say they intend to keep treating reckless fireworks use that puts officers or the public at risk as criminal conduct, not holiday fun gone wrong.
Peebles remained in custody at the Metro jail following his booking, and court records are expected to list his next hearing date. Authorities have not released additional details about the investigation.
