Armed man killed by security officer at federal courthouse in Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — An investigation is underway after a deadly shooting at the federal courthouse in downtown Nashville Thursday morning.

Officers were called to the Fred D. Thompson Federal Building & Courthouse on Church Street around 9:30 a.m.

According to Metro police, a man in his 40s from out of state came in the front entrance of the building and approached the security checkpoint with a pistol. He attempted to discharge the weapon but it did not fire.

The assailant then produced a knife and confronted a security officer at the checkpoint, police said. That officer fired on the man armed with the knife. He was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center where he was pronounced deceased.

Officers searched the man’s vehicle, which he had left parked on 7th Avenue North. Nothing was found in the vehicle, police said.

Patrons at the nearby Nashville Public Library were evacuated as a precaution. Employees from the federal courthouse were also seen exiting the building through crime scene tape in a single file line.

Library officials later announced the main branch would be closed for the remainder of the day Thursday due to the shooting.

Nearby Hume-Fogg High School was not placed on lockdown, according to a spokesperson with Metro Nashville Public Schools.

“Our understanding in talking with the MNPD is that the situation was quickly contained and there was no risk to nearby schools requiring a lockout or lockdown. Schools will generally rely on MNPD guidance as it relates to lockouts required by police activities outside of the school.”

The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has been called in to assist with the investigation.