Suicide threat and domestic disputes: Antioch church shooting suspect had history with police

Nearly three months before police say Emanuel Samson went on a shooting rampage at an Antioch church, he sent a troubling text to his father: “... I have a gun to my head, have a nice F------ life.”

In addition to the suicidal incident, Samson also had two domestic disputes with a woman that resulted in calls to police, but no arrests, police documents reveal.

According to a June 27 Murfreesboro Police Department report, Samson’s father called police after he received the texts from his son.

Police were dispatched to Samson’s Murfreesboro apartment, but he was nowhere to be found, according to the report. Police pinged Samson’s phone, which indicated he was at 1400 Donelson Pike in Nashville and Metro police were then notified.

Murfreesboro Police Spokesman Kyle Evans said Nashville police checked on Samson at the address. Police found no indication of Samson being suicidal and he did not appear to be in distress at that time.

One of the businesses listed at that address is G4S security. According to state records, Samson had a license to be an unarmed security guard from 2014 until January 2016.

G4S has not immediately responded to questions about whether Samson was employed.

Domestic violence reports

In January, Samson’s girlfriend called Murfreesboro police to report a domestic dispute with Samson.

According to the Jan. 29 report: “They argued in her bedroom and at one point he turned away from her and punched a small TV on her desk, breaking it. He also broke a small figurine. His hand was cut when he punched the TV and there was blood on the floor,” Murfreesboro Police Officer Hayley Alden reported.

The woman declined to obtain a warrant for the vandalism, which had an estimated value of under $1,000.

More: Neighbors grieve for woman killed as she left Antioch church

More: Burnette Chapel Church of Christ shooting suspect told police he 'fired upon the church building'

Another report involving the same girlfriend was filed by a Murfreesboro police officer on Feb. 11, 2017.

At that time, Samson reported that the woman arrived at his apartment uninvited and began banging on his door to gain entry.

“He opened the door and talked to her for a minute, that’s when she started to get loud and he tried telling her to leave and close his door,” a report filed by Officer Benjamin Leibach said. “She tried to push the door back open. He stated that he was in fear because she has struck him in the past.”

Both parties reported that no threats or assault had been made on that date.

More: Antioch church shooting: Five victims remain hospitalized, one in critical condition

More: Nashville church shooting victim: 'I just laid quietly and played like I was dead'

Smyrna reports

Smyrna Police Sgt. Bobby Gibson said officers made a traffic stop of Samson on Aug. 26, 2016, and issued him a warning.

Prior to that, Samson called police to report being victim in an aggravated burglary October 2015 after someone had broken into his home, then in Smyrna.

Scott Broden contributed to this report.

Reach Mariah Timms at mtimms@dnj.com and follow her on Twitter @MariahTimms.