NASHVILLE, TN – An attempted car break-in escalated into a dangerous gunfight early Tuesday morning, raising concerns about the use of firearms for property protection.

The incident occurred around 3 a.m. at the Summit Apartments in Antioch. Metro Nashville police responded to reports of gunfire and found a man shot in the back, hiding in a dumpster. Multiple vehicles in the parking lot showed extensive bullet damage.

According to MNPD, the car owner spotted two people attempting to break into his car via his surveillance camera. Confronting the suspects, the situation quickly turned violent, resulting in a barrage of gunfire. The car owner, armed with an AR-15, shot one of the suspects, who was later found with a gunshot wound to the back. The extensive gunfire left numerous bullet holes in surrounding cars and the walls of the parking area.

“If anything, I hope it has the police take the car break-ins more seriously,” said Morgen Clay, a resident whose Kia Soul sustained significant damage. “There are 13 [bullet holes] in the body and 8 in the glass.”

Clay’s husband discovered the damage when he returned from his overnight shift. Reflecting on the situation, Clay said, “[He said] ‘Your car got shot up and there’s news people outside,’” Clay recalled. “Oh, I just laughed. I mean what else can you do?”

Having experienced car break-ins during her 10 years at the complex, Clay expressed concerns about residents taking the law into their own hands and hopes this incident will prompt police to address the issue of car thefts more seriously. “In a state where we’re free to carry, this could possibly happen again,” she noted.

The suspect shot in the back was transported to the hospital with non-critical injuries and is reported to be in stable condition. The police have taken the AR-15 used in the shooting as evidence.

“I really just see it as a one-off thing,” Clay said. “Crazy things happen sometimes.”

The investigation is ongoing, and it will be up to the District Attorney to decide whether charges will be filed against the car owner. Tennessee law prohibits the use of firearms to protect property, and with the suspect shot in the back, questions arise about whether he was fleeing at the time of the shooting. This could spell significant legal trouble for the car owner who confronted the suspects.

This incident underscores the dangers of confronting criminals. The potential for innocent bystanders to be harmed is considerable, and the legality of using deadly force in such situations remains a contentious issue.