Nashville police: Two teens injured in Bordeaux library shooting
Patrons searching for a quiet place to read books and use computers were startled by gunfire shortly after 3 p.m. Thursday inside the Bordeaux library branch on Clarksville Pike.
When gunshots sounded off, at least one librarian thought it was fireworks, Brent Dickerson said.
He knew better.
Within seconds, he and other library patrons moved with staff members to an office, steering clear of what Nashville police later discovered was a shooting which injured two juveniles.
“That shook me up so bad,” Dickerson said as he stood outside the building underneath a tree. “I just turned around, came over here. I had to walk off and get my head together. Because you never know.
"At the public library? You'd never think that. But we're living in a different time now. I don't know. It's unbelievable."
By Thursday night, three teens were charged in connection for their involvement in the shooting.
Police said the shooting at the Bordeaux library branch did not appear to be random and involved teens firing at each other.
Nashville police say two teens shot
Don Aaron, a spokesperson for MNPD, said three teenagers entered a library restroom, got into an altercation and began firing shots. Aaron said two other teens were believed to be involved, but were outside as lookouts as the three entered the restroom.
Two teens were shot. One, 14, was injured in the groin and had aid rendered to them at the library. The other teen, 16, fled after being shot in the foot. They were later captured by police and taken to a Nashville-area hospital for treatment.
Detectives believe the 16-year-old shot himself during the incident in addition to shooting the 14-year-old in the groin.
"This should not be happening with our teens; very troubling when you have teens armed with guns entering a restroom," Aaron said.
Aaron said one weapon, a semi-automatic pistol, was recovered from the scene. Another, believed to be involved, was not recovered.
Police said the three teens live in the same neighborhood and have engaged in an ongoing dispute.
"The brothers followed the 14-year-old from a distance this afternoon and he and another teen, 15, walked towards the library and entered. The 15-year-old is charged with conspiracy to commit criminal homicide for allegedly acting in concert with his brother.
Multiple shots were fire when the brothers and 14-year-old entered the restroom at the library.
Bordeaux library branch closed after shooting
The branch closed following the shooting.
"We have closed the Bordeaux Branch Library only, and it will remain closed tomorrow, as well. MNPD is currently on scene at Bordeaux and we're cooperating with them as we speak, said Ed Brown, a spokesperson for Nashville Public Library.
Around a dozen officers were seen surveying the area, along with a K-9 unit.
Two of the five teens involved were not detained.
Howard Jones, who recently ran for Metro Council At-large and lives near the library location, arrived following the shooting.
"It's our responsibility to stop gun violence and institute common sense gun laws," Jones told The Tennessean. "No 18-year-old should have a gun in their hand."
Reach reporter Craig Shoup by email at cshoup@gannett.com and on X @Craig_shoup. To support his work, sign up for a digital subscription to www.tennessean.com.