Road rage gunfire takes life of unintended victim in back seat, Tennessee police say

A driver who successfully dodged shots fired by another motorist discovered his dog took a bullet and was killed, according to investigators in Tennessee.

The suspected road rage took place around 11:20 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 4, and the shooter remains at large, the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department said in a Sept. 6 news release.

“The victim reported a black Dodge Ram pickup truck was following him closely, likely wanting to pass him,” police said.

“When the victim stopped at the red light in the left turn lane the suspect ... pointed a gun, and fired at the passenger’s side, shooting out the back window. The victim ducked. ... The suspect fled northbound.”

The victim pulled off the road at a nearby subdivision and “discovered his dog had been shot,” officials said. The German Shepherd was in the back seat at the time, officials said.

Detectives are working to identify the suspect, who was male, officials said.

The identity of the victim was not released.

Bell Road, where the shooting took place, is in a largely residential area southwest of the J. Percy Priest Lake reservoir, maps show.

This story was originally published September 9, 2024 at 10:11 AM with the headline "Road rage gunfire takes life of unintended victim in back seat, Tennessee police say."