Police ID victim in fatal hatchet attack; suspect fired from Belle Meade business last year

Show Caption Hide Caption Bell Meade murder: Police investigate reported hatchet attack Nashville police spokesman Don Aaron talks about a murder at a Belle Meade fitness center on Monday morning

UPDATE: The Belle Meade hatchet attack suspect limped into a Gallatin urgent care facility Monday, police say.

Metro police continued searching Monday for a man who they say brutally killed another man with a hatchet and another "cutting instrument" at a fitness business in a Belle Meade strip mall about 7 a.m. Monday.

Investigators were looking for Domenic Micheli, 36, in relation to the attack.

Police identified the victim as Joel Paavola, 46, who ran The Balance Training location at 5133 Harding Pike. Paavola is reported to have fired Micheli about 14 months ago, police said.

U.S. Secret Service said Micheli was arrested in Washington, D.C., on April 27 for driving his car to a checkpoint near the White House and refusing to move. He was arrested without incident, they said.

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"Just a senseless, brutal, violent attack this morning on Mr. Paavola as he was there in the business," Metro Nashville Police Department spokesman Don Aaron said.

Video surveillance shows Micheli pacing in a parking garage below the commercial center prior to the alleged attack, according to Aaron. Micheli was driving an older model Toyota Yaris or Prius, possibly silver.

Micheli was reportedly armed with at least one hatchet and another instrument such as another hatchet or large knife, Aaron said. The attack occurred when Paavola was assisting clients in a workout routine, police said.

Nashville restaurateur Randy Rayburn was trained by Paavola for a few years at another gym and said he was heartbroken to hear the news.

Paavola was regarded as a fitness guru, and gave speeches about healthy lifestyle choices at Harpeth Hall and for other groups.

“I went through boot camp twice with Joel. He was one of the nicest, most dedicated human beings,” Rayburn said. “Joel was one of the most enthusiastic and well-rounded people I’ve ever known in my life. I worked out with him for a couple years (at another gym). He was just a wonderful father and human being.”

A Facebook page under Micheli's name includes at least one reference to himself as the "Sun of God."

A post from June 1 reads:

"I've sensed there has been some

Confusion about things recently

Amongst the people.

Some people, even the strong faithful

Have indeed waivered (sic) in their belief of

Me as being the Sun of God

And their leader.

They say, this is a fine mess he has made

Of things."

Detectives learned that Micheli traveled to Oregon in August 2017, as well as to Washington, D.C., in April.

Anyone who sees Micheli, who is likely still driving the Toyota, is asked to immediately contact 615-862-8600 or their local law enforcement agency.

Businesses around The Balance Training, such as Le Peep restaurant, were mostly open Monday morning. Customers continued to come and go, though workers and patrons were clearly affected.

"Several called to check on us, and the first initial reaction is 'I can't believe that happened right there in Belle Meade because nothing ever happens like that where you guys are located,'" said Kevin Brown, co-owner of Music City Golf, a store in the same shopping center.

Belle Meade, which lies within Nashville, is known for being a safe place with an active local police presence. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated in 2017 that fewer than 3,000 people lived in the city.

Several nearby facilities went on lockdown, including The Temple on Harding Road. The building typically closes at 5 p.m., but as a result of the killing, a spokeswoman said it planned to close its doors Monday at 3 p.m.

BREAKING: Domenic Micheli, 36, being sought in relation to this morning's fatal attack on a male employee of Balance Fitness, 5133 Harding Pike. A hatchet was reportedly used. See Micheli? Please call 615-862-8600 immediately. pic.twitter.com/vZLyUIof9o — Metro Nashville PD (@MNPDNashville) June 4, 2018

The Gordon Jewish Community Center did not go on lockdown, but had heightened security, said Leslie Sax, the JCC's executive director.

Nate Rau and Michael Aldrich contributed to this report. Reach Natalie Neysa Alund at nalund@tennessean.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.