One killed in shooting at Nashville's Opry Mills mall; suspect charged with homicide

Nashville was on edge again Thursday after a deadly shooting at Opry Mills mall, but police were quick to distance the incident from the mass shooting 11 days before at a local Waffle House.

One person was killed in the Opry Mills shooting, which stemmed from a fight between two men in a hallway at the busy mall, according to police.

Police said that during the altercation, Justin Golson, 22, pulled a small pistol — which had been reported stolen — and shot Demarco Churchwell, 22, in the neck. Churchwell, of Nashville, died soon afterward at Skyline Medical Center.

Late Thursday, police said Golson, of Antioch, was being charged with criminal homicide.

More: Opry Mills mall shooting suspect jailed without bond, due in court next week

The two men knew one another, and a continuing dispute had preceded the physical altercation and shooting in the mall. In interviews with police after the shooting, Golson told officers the feud was related to Golson having been in a fight with a relative of Churchwell in March.

Police said there were more than 25 witnesses to the gunfire, but no one else was injured.

Investigators worked into the evening to interview the witnesses and Golson.

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The shooting, which took place near the mall's Auntie Anne's Pretzels and Lids stores, was reported to police around 2:23 p.m.

Responding officers carried Churchwell outside to an awaiting ambulance. He died soon after arriving at the hospital.

Nearby schools quickly closed to visitors and the Grand Ole Opry was put on lockdown.

Officers dressed in tactical gear and carrying long guns were seen running into the mall. Shaken shoppers at the mall, a frequent destination for tourists and local bargain hunters, hid in bathroom stalls and stock rooms, afraid they were in imminent danger.

Shelly Baggett and her husband Paul were in the mall during the shooting. They had come into town from Johnson City to visit with their adult son, who went to the restroom shortly before Baggett heard gunfire.

“I heard 'bang, bang,' real quick. I could tell it was a gun right away — it was so loud and so sharp,” she said. “I couldn’t breathe because my son wasn’t with me.”

She texted her son with grim instructions: “Stay in the stall and put your feet up on the toilet.”

They sheltered in place for about 15 minutes before they were reunited.

Shooting tested nerves frayed by the Waffle House tragedy

The response drew some parallels to the April 22 mass shooting at an Antioch Waffle House that killed four people and led to a 34-hour manhunt for the suspect.

“Certainly we’re all human beings,” police spokesman Don Aaron said during a Thursday afternoon media conference. “There has to be some thought of Waffle House just a few days ago.”

But Aaron stressed the differences between the two shootings. It was not an active shooter, he said, it was an isolated dispute.

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The suspect and victim from the Thursday shooting were fighting with one another, he said, and no other shoppers were targeted.

In fact, Aaron said, Golson turned himself in soon after the shooting.

A retired California police officer helped take Golson into custody, Aaron said. The retired officer was in a Grand Ole Opry ticket booth near the mall when dozens of witnesses ran in screaming, "Shooter! Shooter!"

Golson, who was in the crowd, announced he was the shooter but said he acted in self-defense, according to the retired officer. Golson put the gun on a counter and told someone to call 911.

The retired officer then grabbed the gun and told Golson to lay on the grass outside until police arrived, Aaron said.

Golson did as he was told.

Suspect worked in the mall, which is enhancing security Friday

According to police, Golson worked in the mall at a shoe shine kiosk.

He told officers he "believes he was seen by happenstance in the mall earlier" on Thursday by an associate of Churchwell, according to a news release from police.

When Churchwell and Golson encountered one another Thursday afternoon, three other individuals were with Churchwell.

Golson conceded that no gun was pulled on him.

Police said they did recover two pistols, however, from the purse of Churchwell's girlfriend after she was detained by officers.

On Friday, Metro police will show an enhanced presence at the mall, according to the department, to increase safety for shoppers and mall staff.

Opry Mills Mall shooting

Opry Mills Mall location

Brad Schmitt and Jason Gonzales contributed to this report.

Reach Adam Tamburin at 615-726-5986 and on Twitter @tamburintweets.