Nashville man ‘dying to try’ new shotgun arrested

Metro police arrested a man celebrating his birthday Tuesday after a window was shot out and his neighbor was injured.

Jerry Burkhart’s girlfriend told Metro police officers that Burkhart, a convicted felon, was “dying to try” out a new shotgun, according to a Davidson County affidavit. His girlfriend reported to police that Burkhart, 23, took the gun outside his home at the South Brook Apartments, 5101 Linbar Drive, and then she heard several shots, the affidavit said.

The resident, who was injured by shattered glass, called police and said the suspect had stopped by his apartment and apologized, the affidavit said. Officers detained Burkhart at about 10:40 p.m., and the victim identified him as the man who apologized.

The affidavit said Burkhart was very unsteady on his feet, his speech was slurred, he smelled of alcohol and vomited several times on his way to jail.

Burkhart was booked into Metro jail early Wednesday on charges of reckless endangerment, public intoxication and unlawful possession of a firearm. He is being held on a $51,000 bond.

Reach Holly Meyer at 615-259-8241 and on Twitter @HollyAMeyer.