The Metro Nashville Community Oversight Board (MNCOB) Executive Director received a call on January 29, 2023, at 6:53 p.m. from Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) Commander Carlos Lara regarding a fatal police shooting that occurred in the 900 block of Buchanan Street, Nashville, Tennessee. We arrived on the scene and were briefed about the incident by Metro Nashville Police Department officials. We were told that an unidentified black male had a gun, had been waving and pointing the gun at people while he stood in the middle of the road, and was subsequently shot by Metro police officer, Dylan Ramos. The male was taken to a hospital where he died of his injuries. We were able to view a small black handgun and what appeared to be a magazine on the ground near where the shooting occurred. There were spent bullet casings in the area as well. At some point, the Tennessee Bureau of Investigations (TBI) investigators began to document the scene by photographing and numbering the evidence in the area. After ensuring that TBI investigators had taken over the scene, we left the area and headed to MNPD headquarters to review the unredacted Body Worn and In Car Camera video footage. At 10:41 p.m. ED Fitcheard received a call from the TBI Agent-In-Charge inviting the MNCO to do a walk-thru of the incident scene which was declined because of the earlier observations while at the location.
On Monday, January 30, the MNCO investigators requested from MNPD all records, and video related to this shooting. We are waiting to receive the BWC and ICC from MNPD and are reviewing video footage from a local business in the area. We were told that the identification of the deceased is being withheld until the next of kin notification is made.
The TBI is conducting a criminal investigation into the matter and the MNCO Executive Director has opened a director-initiated investigation into this shooting. The MNCO conducts administrative investigations to determine if MNPD officers violated policy. Because this is an open ongoing investigation, we are unable to share more information at this time, but we will keep the Community informed on any new information that we can share.
We appreciate the many calls and emails received related to this tragic incident and I extend my deepest condolences to the family of this individual as we await to know his identity.
Jill Fitcheard
Executive Director
Metro Nashville Community Oversight Board