Officer John Downs (Photo: Metro Nashville PD)
A Metro Nashville police officer was shot and a 16-year-old suspect was killed in an incident in south Nashville Sunday night.
It began as officers were investigating a robbery around 7 p.m. Metro police stated a man called to report he was robbed of his personal belongings by two individuals while he was in his car. An investigation led police to the Long Hunter Court apartment.
Several people were inside and consented to a search, during which officers say they located the robbery victim’s credit card.
The suspect, who has been identified as 16-year-old Xavier McDonald, barricaded himself into a bathroom.Negotiators and a special response team were then called to the scene.
Officers attempted to Taser him and take him into custody, but were unsuccessful. McDonald pulled a gun and fired at police, striking one officer in the thigh, according to police.
Officers then returned fire, killing McDonald. WATE TV says McDonald was listed as a runaway by the police department. His mother reported scuffling with McDonald over a box of bullets on December 7. McDonald’s mother reported that he threatened to kill her and was carrying a gun in his waistband at the time.
The wounded officer has been identified as 18-year veteran John Downs. He is in stable condition at Vanderbilt University Medical Center with his family by his side. He is expected to have surgery.
Downs, 42, is a member of the Special Response Team and had previously worked in the domestic violence division.
