LA VERGNE, Tenn. (WGNS) - A Wednesday morning Facebook Marketplace exchange ended in gunfire and landed four people behind bars. La Vergne police officers and emergency personnel rushed to the area of Waldron Road and Centrepointe Drive around 11:00 AM on Wednesday following reports of a shooting. The incident forced officials to lock down the area for hours while detectives gathered evidence from the scene.
Investigators determined the violence stemmed from an online marketplace transaction gone wrong. Three individuals met up with a seller to buy an item, but they allegedly snatched the merchandise without paying and sped off in a vehicle at a high rate of speed. The seller did not wait for police. Instead, he pursued the fleeing suspects and fired multiple rounds into their car.
One of the alleged thieves suffered a gunshot wound during the pursuit. Medics transported him to a local hospital for treatment, and medical staff later released him.
Detectives spent the days following the shooting interviewing witnesses, reviewing area surveillance footage, and gathering evidence. That work led to major criminal charges for everyone involved. Police charged the three buyers with Aggravated Robbery, and a judge set their bonds at $60,000 each. Meanwhile, police arrested the seller who fired the shots. He faces charges of Attempted First Degree Murder, two counts of Aggravated Assault, and Tampering with Evidence. His bond sits at $310,000.
La Vergne police officials stress that citizens should never take matters into their own hands. They urge Rutherford County residents to use the parking lot of the La Vergne Police Department for online marketplace transactions, where security cameras and police presence provide safety.
DISCLAIMER: The charges and allegations referenced in this story are merely accusations of criminal conduct and not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of law.
PREVIOUSLY REPORTED
LA VERGNE, Tenn. (WGNS) - La Vergne police are working to piece together what caused a daylight shooting on Wednesday morning. Officers rushed to the area of Waldron Road and Centerpoint Drive just around 11:00 a.m. after reports of gunfire.
They found an adult male suffering from a single gunshot wound. Paramedics transported the victim to a nearby hospital for treatment, but authorities are not releasing his current medical condition.
Investigators moved quickly on the scene and tracked down a suspect. Police placed that person under arrest a short time later.
Detectives believe this was an isolated incident, and they say there is no active threat to the public. Detectives remain on the scene collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses. The department is asking anyone who saw the incident or has any information to call La Vergne Police immediately.
DISCLAIMER: The charges and allegations referenced in this story are merely accusations of criminal conduct and not evidence. The defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted through due process of law.
