Police: Officer fired after Nashville shooting investigation
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) — A Nashville police officer has been fired following an investigation into why he shot at a burglary suspect.
Metro police spokesman Don Aaron told news outlets Tuesday that officer Matthew Nelms was relieved of his duties for violating the department's policy on use of deadly force.
According to an investigation, Nelms fired into a SUV while police sought a burglary suspect Nov. 30 near a home in Nashville's Madison neighborhood. No one was hit by Nelms' gunfire.
Police say Nelms initially reported that he fired in self-defense because he believed his life was in danger. However, Aaron says an investigation revealed that doesn't appear plausible.
Aaron says the department's review found that Nelms fired his service pistol as many as five times as the vehicle was in reverse, backing away from him.
