Fatal Smyrna Shooting, Murder Appeal Upheld & Murfreesboro Park Progress | May 20, 2026

May 20, 2026 at 04:45 am by Dalton Barrett


Wednesday, May 20, 2026

The Rutherford Roundup

In Today’s Episode:

  • Smyrna detectives investigate a fatal shooting outside Against the Grain Tattoo on North Lowry Street after a work-related dispute allegedly escalated into gunfire.
  • Authorities say the shooter claimed self-defense, but the case remains under homicide investigation and is expected to be reviewed by a grand jury.
  • The Tennessee Court of Criminal Appeals upholds the denial of post-conviction relief for Martin B. Montemayor, leaving his life sentence without parole in place for the 2019 killing of Judith “Judy” Montemayor.
  • A ruptured gas line near Medical Center Parkway and I-24 causes major traffic restrictions, including closure of the westbound I-24 off-ramp.
  • Murfreesboro police investigate a serious crash at Southeast Broad Street and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard after a pickup truck struck a motorcycle, leaving the rider with serious leg injuries.
  • Murfreesboro’s Veterans Park continues to take shape, with playground features, pickleball courts, pavilions, event space, food truck access, and paved trails planned ahead of an expected early 2027 opening.
  • Discovery School third graders partner with Murfreesboro Transit to bring Little Free Libraries to the Transit Center and local bus shelters, expanding access to books for public transit riders.




Wgns listen live widget · HTML
Listen Live Watch the live stream