US: One killed, four injured in Easter brunch shooting at a Nashville restaurant, gunman at large

One person was killed and at least four others suffered injuries in a shootout which took place at a Nashville restaurant amid Easter brunch celebrations on Sunday afternoon (Mar 31).

The gunman fled in an SUV after firing inside the restaurant and the police are hunting him down.

BREAKING: Detectives are working to determine the motive for this gunman opening fire during Sunday brunch at Roasted on Garfield St. 1 man killed, several others hurt, non-critically. Shooting occurred at 3 p.m. Gunman fled in this Mercedes GLS 450. Know him? 615-862-8600. pic.twitter.com/bwJrCjwmhf — Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) March 31, 2024

“This was not a shootout …This was one person who decided to pull a gun based on an altercation occurring with another man and then he fired multiple shots,” said Nashville police spokesperson Don Aaron, further stating that the authorities have most probably identified the assailant.

The name of the suspect or those who were hit by the bullets was not revealed by the police. Four victims who suffered injuries did not have critical wounds, as per media reports.

A person, who was grazed by a bullet, and a pregnant woman who had a panic attack after the shootout, were transported to hospitals bymedical responders.

According to Aaron, the suspected gunman had reached the restaurant minutes before the shooting. He was accompanied by a woman who also fled with him in the Mercedes SUV.

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Gunman had a heated argument with the man he killed: Police

According to the police, the man who died and the gunman had a heated argument which escalated quickly.

"There was an altercation between two men at Roasted. Sunday brunch was being served. During that time period, the altercation occurred and escalated, very sharply, to one of the men pulling a gun and firing multiple shots," said Aaronat a press conference.

The restaurant Roasted, which calls itself “a safe haven where community thrives, love is in the air, and good times are shared”, was filled with customers, along with children, who were enjoying Easter brunch when the firing took place, as per social media posts.

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"Detectives are working to determine the motive for this gunman opening fire during Sunday brunch at Roasted on Garfield St," wrote the Metro Nashville Police Department on X. The police also released images of the suspected shooter as well as his car.

The north precinct commander for the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department Anthony McClain said surveillance video showed “mass chaos” during the shooting.

“Everyone’s trying to get out and trying to escape the gunfire. Some people did try to resist the gun, the gunman," he said.

(With inputs from agencies)