Ariana Sawyer

asawyer@tennessean.com

A man ran after two men he said stole his wallet, firing his gun at them multiple times just outside Green Hills mall Monday night in a Macy's shopping trip gone bad.

Police responded to the report at about 9 p.m., according to Metro Police spokesperson Don Aaron.

Richard Feldman, 68, said he was in the process of buying his girlfriend a swimsuit at a register in Macy’s when two men ran by him, grabbing his wallet off the sales counter as they passed.

Feldman ran after the two individuals, who he said got into a white SUV or minivan-type vehicle.

"That's when I started shooting – when he opened the door," Feldman said. "I was in fear for my life."

He admitted to firing several shots with the Smith & Wesson revolver he was carrying in his pants pocket. Police confirmed Feldman had a valid handgun carry permit.

Feldman, who said he lives in Nashville with a "big Trump sign," "a German shepherd, a pit bull and a lot more guns," said he put bullet holes in the passenger side door.

"The MNPD received no reports of a gunshot victim showing up at any hospital in regard to this," Aaron said.

Aaron said the Macy's loss prevention video shows the two young men shoplifting a pair of pants, grabbing Feldman's wallet on the way out of the store and fleeing to a vehicle parked close to the door of the first floor parking garage with the doctor in pursuit.

Feldman said he is a weight loss doctor based in Nashville, but a Tennessee Department of Health license search revealed that Feldman's license is currently revoked. His history as a medical professional is marred by disciplinary actions, hefty fines and court hearings from 1997 to 2011, according to the health department.

His license was revoked in 2008, and he was assessed $41,000 in civil penalties on several charges including unprofessional, dishonorable or unethical conduct, fraud or deceit and false advertising.

Aaron said the actions of the suspects and Feldman remain under police investigation.

Reach Ariana Sawyer at 615-259-8382 or on Twitter @a_maia_sawyer.