NASHVILLE, TN — A 23-year-old man is recovering after being shot early Monday morning during a confrontation with suspected car burglars outside his home on Smokey Hill Road.
According to the Metro Nashville Police Department, the incident began around 4:08 a.m. when surveillance footage showed two individuals pulling on locked car door handles in the victim’s driveway. The suspects left but returned less than ten minutes later. One acted as a lookout while the other forcibly entered one of the victim’s vehicles through the sunroof.
The homeowner and his brother, both armed, exited the house to confront the suspects. An exchange of gunfire followed between the suspects and the two men. The homeowner was struck during the firefight, though his injuries are not life-threatening. He was transported to a local hospital and is expected to recover. The suspects fled the scene, and there is currently no indication that either was injured during the exchange.
Detectives from the Specialized Investigations Division are working to identify the individuals involved. Authorities are urging anyone with information to contact Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463. Tips can remain anonymous, and callers may be eligible for a cash reward.
The MNPD issued a reminder to the public warning against confronting suspected car burglars directly, noting that these individuals often carry firearms.
While the instinct to protect personal property is understandable, leaving the safety of your home to engage with suspects—especially in a case like this involving car burglary—can be extremely dangerous. In this incident, both sides were armed, and despite those seemingly even odds, the homeowner was seriously injured. You can never know how many suspects are involved or what weapons they may have. Confronting criminals in the dark, outnumbered, or outgunned can quickly escalate into a life-threatening situation. It’s always safer and legally sound to call law enforcement and avoid physical engagement when lives aren’t immediately at risk.
First they should have called the Cops. Second if they felt the need to confront the burglars it should have been from a place of concealment with firearms trained on the suspects. Go out the backdoor rather than the front each taking up positions on the opposite side of the house. Hands up , lay down your weapons, place your hands on the car where I can see them and then wait on the cops. If they try anything shoot to kill in the interim..
It’s also possible that if the homeowner had yelled “Hey!” out the door or window, the thieves may have simply fled. I wouldn’t chance going outside, but I might yell at them from relative safety.