Sixty six Republican lawmakers in the Tennessee House of Representatives have sent a letter to Metro Nashville Police Chief John Drake asking for the release of writings and medical records of the Covenant School killer.
Read the full storyTag: MNPD
MTSU Names Covenant School Police Officers ‘Honorary Professors of Public Safety’
Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) honored five Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) officers on Friday evening during one of the university’s spring commencement ceremonies.
Read the full storyTBI Investigating Multiple Hoax School Shooter Calls
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) announced Wednesday that it was investigating a series of hoax phone calls made to schools around the state alerting them to potential school shootings.
“DEVELOPING: TBI is currently working with state and federal partners to determine the source of several hoax calls, placed to local law enforcement agencies, reporting an active shooter at several high schools in the state,” TBI said Wednesday on Twitter.
Read the full storyCovenant Killer Manifesto Coverup Deepens as Metro Nashville Police Department Moves to Delay Open Records Lawsuit Hearings
The judge hearing lawsuits demanding the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department release the Covenant School killer’s manifesto has pushed back a show cause hearing on the litigation as MNPD attempts to maneuver around Tennessee’s public record laws.
It appears the police department and its attorneys are going to try to bury the plaintiffs — and the court — in paper.
Read the full storyMNPD Tells The Tennessee Star that Covenant Mass Shooter’s ‘Dated Journals’ Will be Released, Does Not Provide Timeline
In a shift from what has widely been called a “manifesto,” the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) Friday told The Tennessee Star that it will release “dated journals” left behind by the mass shooter who killed six people at The Covenant School in Nashville one month ago.
“The writings are essentially dated journals,” Don Aaron, an MNPD spokesman, told The Tennessee Star. “While the word manifesto was used on the first day, we have since referred to these as ‘writings’ or ‘journals.'”
Read the full storyMNPD Denies Tennessee Star Public Records Request for Covenant Mass Shooter’s Toxicology Report
After the CEO of Star News Media, Inc., the owner and operator of The Tennessee Star, submitted an open records request to the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) on Thursday asking that Covenant School mass killer Audrey Elizabeth Hale’s toxicology report be made public, The Star learned Friday that that request has been denied.
Read the full storyThe Tennessee Star Files Open Records Request with MNPD for Toxicology Report from Autopsy of Covenant Killer Audrey Hale
The CEO and Editor-in-Chief of The Star News Network Thursday filed an open records request with the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD), seeking the release of a toxicology report of Audrey Elizabeth Hale, the person who shot and killed six people at The Covenant School a month ago, at the time of Hale’s rampage.
Hale identified as transgender, and a toxicology report would identify what, if any, drugs were in Hale’s system at the time of the mass killing.
Read the full storyDavidson County Sheriff Wants Covenant School Shooter Manifesto Released
Davidson County’s sheriff said he wants the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) to release the manifesto The Covenant School shooter left behind.
“I think the manifesto needs to be released ASAP,” Davidson County Sheriff Daron Hall reportedly said. “I think it would help. I don’t see any reason for it to be private any longer in my opinion.”
Read the full storyTennessee Lawmakers Call for the Release of Covenant Murderer Hale Manifesto Ahead of Special Session
Tennessee Republicans are demanding a the release of a manifesto written by the person who killed six at The Covenant School on March 27, before entering into a special legislative session that will be focused on gun control.
State Sen. Todd Gardenhire (R-Chattanooga), the chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee, has filed a public records request with the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) in order to obtain information about the manifesto left behind by 28-year-old Audrey Elizabeth Hale, who identified as transgender, after Hale’s rampage at The Covenant School in Nashville.
Read the full storyMetro Nashville Council Votes Against Resolution Concerning School Safety Evaluations
On Tuesday, the Metro Nashville City Council failed to pass a resolution concerning the evaluation of school safety plans at Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS).
Read the full storyNashville Police, FBI: ‘No Timeline’ for Release of Trans Shooter’s Manifesto
More than two weeks after 28-year-old Audrey Elizabeth Hale, who identified as transgender, carried out a mass shooting at a Christian school in Nashville, the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) are refusing to provide information about a manifesto left behind by the shooter.
Hale shot and killed six people, including three children, at The Covenant School on March 27.
Read the full storyCommentators Heap Praise on Nashville Police Officers Who Neutralized Suspect in Mass Shooting
After body camera footage was released Tuesday showing Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) officers charging into The Covenant School and killing Audrey Elizabeth Hale, the shooter responsible for killing three children and three adults at the school, social media is abuzz with praise for the officers.
Read the full storyCitywide Candlelight Vigil Planned in Nashville to Mourn Those Lost in The Covenant School Shooting
A citywide candlelight vigil has been planned for Wednesday at 5:30 p.m. at One Public Square Park to “mourn and honor the lives of the victims, and lift up the survivors and families of The Covenant School,” Nashville Mayor John Cooper announced on Twitter.
Read the full storyNearly 150 Guns Stolen from Vehicles in Nashville So Far This Year, Metro Police Department Says
A total of 149 guns have been stolen from vehicles in Nashville so far this year, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD). Of those 148 stolen, a total of 31 firearms were unlawfully taken from vehicles just last week.
Read the full storyMetro Nashville City Council Votes to Pass Resolution That Allows for License Plate Reader Technology Installed in Nashville
The Metro Nashville City Council voted to pass a resolution this week that would allow license plate readers to be installed in the Nashville metro area. The resolution (RS2022-1883) passed by a 22-13-1 vote.
Read the full story‘Gift Cards for Guns’ Event Sees 76 Firearms Turned Over to Metro Nashville Police in Exchange for $50 Kroger Gift Cards
Metro Nashville Police announced that 76 firearms were turned in on Saturday during a ‘gift cards for guns’ event at Greater Revelations Baptist Church. Out of the 76 firearms turned in, 45 of them were pistols.
Read the full storyMetro Nashville Police Department Officer Jailed in Mexico for Entering Country with Gun
A Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) officer has been incarcerated in Mexico since early July on a gun charge, according to Monday reports.
MNPD office Lemandries Hawes was arrested on July 9 in Cancun, Mexico, after he arrived in the country with a gun.
Read the full storyMetro Nashville Police Department Says Small Percentage of Body-Worn Cameras Malfunctioning
The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) said in a Tuesday release that a small percentage of its officers’ body worn cameras are not working properly.
“The Nashville Police Department is urgently asking Motorola, the parent company of WatchGuard, the vendor of the police department’s body-worn and in-car camera system, to explain why a small percentage of videos are turning up incomplete when they transfer from the upload server to the storage server,” the release said.
Read the full storyTennessee Bureau of Investigation Co-Hosts Active Shooter Response Training Seminar
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) Tuesday hosted an event to teach citizens how to respond in the event that they encounter a mass shooter.
“TBI is partnering with other sponsors in presenting this event to offer attendees information on how to increase emergency preparedness, understand critical response, and implement actions that increase survivability,” the law enforcement agency said on its Facebook page. “A TBI special agent will be among the panelists available following the seminar to answer questions.”
Read the full storyMNPD Suggests It Won’t Investigate Felony Abortion Crimes as City Council Passes Supporting Resolution
The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) suggested in a recent interview that it won’t investigate abortion crimes.
“We are not abortion police. We are focused on safety and quality of life in our city through community engagement, precision policing, and organizational excellence,” Don Aaron, an MNPD spokesperson, reportedly said. “There are other entities in government, particularly at the state level, that are more equipped to address issues such as this.”
Read the full storyGov. Lee Calls Attempted Arson at Pro-Life Center ‘Terrorism’
After an attempted arson at a pro-life pregnancy center, Tennessee’s governor is speaking out.
“This is terrorism and should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Gov. Bill Lee (R) said Thursday in response to news that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) are investigating an arson at Hope Clinic for Women in Nashville.
Read the full story1,000 Guns Stolen in Nashville This Year, Mostly from Cars, Despite Police Warnings
The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) is once again pleading with Nashvillians to be careful if they plan on leaving weapons in their cars.
“MNPD’s continuing Park Smart message is to urge motorists to lock their automobile doors, secure any valuables—especially guns, and REMOVE THE KEYS,” MNPD spokeswoman Kristin Mumford told The Tennessee Star.
Read the full storyNashville Police Say Guns Mostly Being Stolen from Vehicles, But Recoveries Have Increased
The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) is once again seeing an increase of stolen weapons this year.
“[To] date, 823 guns have been reported stolen this year compared to 578 at this time last year,” MNPD spokeswoman Kristin Mumford told The Tennessee Star. “I will add that through PRISM efforts (Precision Recovery Initiative Securing Munitions/Motor Vehicles), recovered firearms are up 27% or 217 more guns recovered than last year at this same time. Regarding PRISM, this is an effort to combat violent crime by working to recover guns and stolen vehicles which are often used in the commission of these crimes.”
Read the full storyMetro Nashville Schools Working with Police on Safety Protocols Following Uvalde Mass Shooting
The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) confirmed Wednesday that it is working with Metro Nashville Public Schools (MNPS) on safety protocols after Tuesday’s deadly mass shooting at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas.
“Primarily precinct-based officers are visiting elementary schools today where they are providing reassurance and discussing existing protocols,” MNPD spokeswoman Kristin Mumford told The Tennessee Star Wednesday.
Read the full storyMetro Nashville Police Department Confirms Deputy Chief, Currently Running for Political Office, Under Two Internal Investigations
Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) Deputy Chief Chris Taylor, who is currently running for political office, is under two separate internal investigations by the Office of Professional Accountability (OPA), the MNPD Public Affairs confirmed Thursday to The Tennessee Star.
The OPA is investigating a complaint received this year concerning Taylor wearing his uniform while off-duty in Sumner County as well as interaction with staff at the MNPD Training Academy, Public Affairs Director Don Aaron told The Star in an email.
Read the full storyMetro Nashville Police Department Deputy Chief Running for Political Office Appears to Be in Violation of Department Policy, Wearing Uniform Off-Duty
A Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) Deputy Chief who is running for political office in his home of Sumner County, appears to be violating department policy by wearing his police uniform while off-duty.
MNPD Deputy Chief Chris Taylor, who as a resident of Sumner County is currently a member of the Sumner County Board of Commissioners, is running in the May 3 Republican primary for the office of Sumner County Mayor.
Read the full storyMetro Nashville Police Partners with Far-Left, Soros-Connected 30×30 Initiative
After the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) announced that it is implementing a project called the 30×30 initiative, The Tennessee Star can reveal that that program is organized and funded by numerous far-Left organizations.
In a Wednesday statement, MNPD announced:
Read the full storyNashville Metro Council Considers Ordinances Modifying License Plate Reader Use
Metro Nashville Council considered three bills on first reading concerning license plate reader (LPR) use and a resolution urging Metro Nashville Police Department to expand use of mental health professionals at incidents at their February 15, 2022 meeting.
Nashville Mayor John Cooper was in attendance.
Read the full storyLicense Plate Reader Use and Grant Approvals Highlight Metro Council’s Next Meeting Agenda
Metro Nashville Council has published the agenda for its February 15, 2022 meeting.
License plate reader (LPR) use, mental health professionals and the Metro Nashville Police Department, zoning, easements, contracts, and grant approvals are issues that dominate the Metro Council’s meeting agenda.
Read the full storyNashville Metro Council Approves License Plate Reader Pilot Program
Metro Nashville Council approved a license plate reader pilot program on Tuesday.
Mayor Cooper’s office, Metro Nashville PD, and NDOT supported the creation of the pilot program.
Read the full storyMetro City Council Votes to Appropriate Millions in Funding for New Tasers for Metro Nashville Police Department
Nashville Metro Council voted last night to give Metro Nashville Police Department $3.15 million dollars to fund the purchase of new tasers. That was far short of the $5.8 million that MPND had requested.
As previously reported, The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) had requested a budget for new tasers, stating that the tasers in current use are obsolete and are not reliable.
Read the full storyMetro Nashville Police Department Officer Kills Suspect in Shootout
Wednesday night a Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) officer killed a suspect after a brief shootout.
“Fatal police shooting under investigation on Old Hickory Blvd W in Madison. Citizens called to report this abandoned Impala in the traffic lane with doors open & the sounds of gunfire from nearby woods. Officers repeatedly ordered the gunman to emerge & surrender…” MNPD said on Twitter.
Read the full storyMetro Nashville Police Asks COVID-19 Budget Committee to Purchase New Tasers
The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) requested from the city’s COVID-19 Financial Oversight Committee a budget for new tasers, saying the ones they currently use are outdated, obsolete, and do not work properly.
MNPD Deputy Chief Chris Taylor told the committee in a Dec. 8 meeting that the review of their taser equipment was prompted during COVID-19, while the department addressed how to arrest unruly suspects who were COVID-19 positive.
Read the full storyNashville Metro Police Department to Hold ‘Safe Surrender’ in Early December
Nashville Metro Police Department (MNPD) announced they would be offering a “Safe Surrender” event on December 10 and 11 for people with outstanding warrants to turn themselves in as “a special one-time opportunity toward a second chance.”
The MNPD said for those who are willing to take responsibility for their actions may attend the Galilee Missionary Baptist Church on 2021 Herman St. where they will be able to receive favorable consideration and could be able to go home the same day.
Read the full storyFar Too Many People in Nashville Make it Easy for Thieves to Steal Their Cars, Police Say
Too many Nashvillians are losing the personal belongings that they keep in their vehicles, and they are also losing their own automobiles because they aren’t taking one simple precaution, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD). MNPD officials said several Nashvillians continue to keep their keys in their vehicles.
Read the full storyMetro Nashville City Council Votes to Increase Police Spending by $10.5 Million in Finalized Budget; Activists Disrupt Meeting
Metro Nashville City Council voted to increase its spending on Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) by $10.5 million, per the finalized budget. Mayor John Cooper approved the budget on Wednesday. Some of this funding will go toward the new southeast precinct, totaling up a 5 percent increase. Overall, the budget sits at around $2.6 billion.
Following passage of the budget during Tuesday’s meeting, the Nashville People’s Budget Coalition shouted down the council members during its 45 minute recess. As a result, the council was unable to continue its business on time.
Read the full storyMental Health Clinicians to Join Metro Nashville Police on 911 Calls by June 28
Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) announced Monday that mental health clinicians will join officers on 911 calls through a Co-Response Crisis Intervention Program starting June 28. The pilot program was reportedly modeled after the Support Team Assistance Response (STAR) pilot program in Denver, Colorado.
“The MNPD’s first ever Co-Response Crisis Intervention [Program] (officers teamed with clinicians) begins 6/28. 16 officers from the North and Hermitage Precincts today begin 40 hours of crisis intervention training alongside Mental Health Co-Op staff in preparation for the start,” wrote MNPD.
Read the full storyNashville’s Community Oversight Board Submits Hiring Recommendations of Increased Diversity, Implicit Bias History to Metro Nashville Police Department
Metro Nashville Community Oversight Board’s (COB) submitted their hiring recommendations, including diversity increases and bias history requirements, on Friday.
The COB made the decision to adopt and formally submit the report to the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) during their meeting last Wednesday.
Read the full storyReview Board Finds Metro Nashville Police’s 2019 Response to Nashville Bomber Was Inadequate
An after-action review board found that the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) 2019 response to a report of the Nashville bomber was inadequate. They noted that the follow-up to the August 2019 incident had multiple issues: namely, lack of documentation and insufficient information gathered. However, the review board also asserted that its analysis doesn’t mean that the bombing was preventable.
The After-Action Review Board concludes that there is no way to know for sure if the suicide bombing on December 25, 2020 could have been prevented. Law enforcement followed protocols and procedures regarding the 8/21/19 incident, however deficiencies were identified in how the follow-up investigation was conducted. An after-action report, by its very nature, invites the examiners to employ hindsight in reaching their conclusions. But there is danger in that. One must not assume that because certain good practices were not followed or certain actions were not taken, the outcome would have necessarily been different had those proper steps been taken. All we can say for sure is that following the best practices and being diligent creates the best opportunity for a good result next time.
Read the full storyU.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services Can’t Confirm Citizenship Status of Gunman Who Shot Metro Nashville Police Officer
The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) couldn’t confirm the citizenship status of Salman Mohamed, the 22-year-old gunman who shot at Metro Nashville Police officers earlier this month. The Tennessee Star placed an open records request with USCIS, only to be told that Mohamed’s date and place of birth would be required in order to verify Mohamed’s citizenship status. The Star offered USCIS this information: Mohamed’s full name, age, last known residence, and date of death.
After assessing your request, and consistent with 6 C.F.R. § 5.3, USCIS FOIA has determined your request did not describe the records sought in sufficient detail to enable our personnel to locate such records with a reasonable amount of effort. A date of birth and place of birth should be provided for the subject of record in order to enable our personnel to locate such records with a reasonable amount of effort. Accordingly, this office is administratively closing your request pursuant to 6 C.F.R. § 5.3(c). This administrative closure does not prejudice your ability to submit a new FOIA request. (emphasis added)
Read the full storyNashville’s Community Oversight Board Wants Metro Police to Increase Diversity Hires Based on NAACP-Prompted Report
Metro Nashville’s Community Oversight Board (COB) wants the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) to prioritize diversity when hiring. This came out of an advisory report focused on reforming MNPD hiring procedures, requested by the Nashville NAACP. In the conclusion of its report, the COB insinuated it wasn’t enough for MNPD’s current standards to hire applicants who are critical thinkers, empathetic, problem solvers, good communicators, and have integrity. They recommended that MNPD prioritize diversity more.
“The data analysis in this report shows that there are racial, ethnic, and gender disparities in the hiring process that should be evaluated and addressed so that the goal of diversifying the police force can become a reality,” read the report’s conclusion. “The eleven recommendations offered in this report aim to encourage community, transparency, accountability, equity, justice, and evidence as core components of the police department.”
Read the full storyMetro Nashville Officer Shot, Hospitalized After Responding to Call Set Up to Lure and Kill Officers
Three Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) officers were ambushed after responding to a 911 call alleging that a woman had been shot. One officer, Brian Sherman, was shot multiple times in the upper left arm and transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. According to MNPD, the call was a setup executed by an individual that police identified as the gunman, 22-year-old Salman Mohamed. His immigration status is unknown.
In a press conference late Tuesday night, Metro Police Public Information Officer Don Aaron explained that Salman falsely told the 911 operator around 6 p.m. CST that his brother had shot his mother, and that shots were continuing to be fired. Aaron explained that Mohamed answered the door when the MNPD officers knocked on the door of the residence identified in the 911 call about ten minutes later. Only Sherman was hit in the ensuing gunfire.
Read the full storyNashville Attorneys Offers Up $2.25 Million Settlement for Daniel Hambrick Wrongful Death Lawsuit
Metro Nashville attorneys settled for $2.25 million with the parents of Daniel Hambrick in their wrongful death lawsuit. That settlement wouldn’t bring closure to the entirety of the ordeal, however. The settlement will not resolve a separate case concerning Andrew Delke, the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) officer who shot Hambrick. Delke still faces a first-degree murder charge.
By offering this settlement, Metro government clarified that neither they or Delke were admitting to any wrongdoing or liability. Metropolitan Director of Law Bob Cooper suggested that this settlement would help offer some closure for the community.
Read the full storyMetro Nashville Police Prepare for Possible Inauguration Day Protest at State Capitol
Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) revealed that it would be adopting a “heightened security posture” at the State Capitol on Inauguration Day. MNPD informed the Metropolitan Council of these measures less than a week after the Capitol Hill riot took place.
In a copy of the letter obtained The Tennessee Star, Chief of Police John Drake informed the council that several unique protests would occur leading up to and on Inauguration Day. He reassured them that there wasn’t any “indication of an imminent threat of violence or danger.”
Read the full story‘I Believe in Heroes’: Downtown Features Mural Honoring Police Who Responded to Nashville Bombing
Downtown Nashville now features a mural honoring the six police officers who evacuated residents ahead of the Christmas Day bombing. Sergeant Timothy Miller and officers Brenna Hosey, Amanda Topping, Tyler Luellen, Michael Sipos, James Wells are depicted on a rendition of the famed “I Believe in Nashville” mural series. Their version of the mural reads, “I Believe in Heroes.”
The mural is located at the corner of 2nd Avenue and Broadway, just ahead of the site of the bombing. The street is still blocked off due to the wreckage being cleared away. The groups behind the popular Instagram pages dedicated to the Nashville community and the “I Believe in Nashville” mural series painted the mural with the permission of the building owner, Hard Rock Cafe Nashville. The mural is expected to remain until the window underneath is replaced. After that, it will be framed and hung inside the building.
Read the full storyNashville Police Say There Was ‘No Evidence or Reasonable Suspicion’ of Anthony Warner Building Bomb Last Year
Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) stated that last year’s investigation into the Nashville bomber yielded no evidence or suspicion of a crime. Chief John Drake revealed those details in a statement on Anthony Warner, the bomber linked to the Christmas Day explosion in downtown Nashville.
Drake explained that MNPD were called by an attorney to address a suicidal woman with two guns last August. The woman at the scene was Pamela Perry, Warner’s girlfriend at the time. She reported to police that Warner was making bombs in his RV trailer, and stated that both guns belonged to him. The attorney, Raymond Throckmorton III, reportedly represented both Warner and Perry.
Read the full storyMetro Nashville Police Arrest Suspect in I-440 Shooting Death of Nurse Caitlyn Kaufman
Metro Nashville Police Department SWAT officers on Friday arrested Devaunte L. Hill in the December 3 murder of Nashville nurse Caitlyn Kaufman as she drove to work on Interstate 440, police said.
Hill, 21, was taken into custody at his apartment in the Berkshire Place complex on Porter Road in East Nashville, MNPD said.
Read the full storyMayor John Cooper Announces Detective John Drake as New Metro Nashville Police Chief
Veteran Detective and Interim Chief John Drake has been selected as Metro Nashville Police Department’s new chief, Mayor John Cooper announced Monday at a press conference.
Drake, 56, is a Nashville native who began his MNPD career in 1988 and has served in a number of jobs throughout the department, the city said in a press release here.
Read the full storyCommunity Oversight Board Declares Use of Force Consent Decrees for Metro Police
The Community Oversight Board (COB) approved a report issuing use of force consent decree recommendations. Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) will work with the COB to implement these recommendations.
Mayor John Cooper tasked members within the Community Oversight Board to explore use of force policies following the deaths of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor.