A West Nashville convenience market clerk Friday night fatally shot a man who was reportedly experiencing a mental health crisis and who physically engaged the clerk inside the Mapco store at 4314 Harding Pike. The deceased is identified as Jonathan Distefano, 41. The armed clerk who said he shot Distefano in self-defense as Distefano persisted in wrestling with him inside the store and tried to disarm him is identified as Emion Ensley, 26.
The investigation shows that Distefano was being driven by his family to a hospital for treatment of a mental health episode when it became worse and he demanded to be let out of the vehicle as they traveled inbound on Harding Pike. Distefano got out and began to charge at oncoming traffic. He wound up on top of a moving car which eventually braked hard causing Distefano to roll off. He then went to the nearby Mapco property where Ensley was on a break inside his car in the parking lot. Ensley said Distefano attempted to get into his vehicle and demanded his keys. Ensley got out and attempted to flee from Distefano, who followed him into the store. Ensley said Distefano saw that he was carrying a gun and threatened to shoot him with it. Ensley said as the two wrestled behind the counter, Distefano tried to disarm him, resulting in Ensley pulling his pistol and shooting Distefano. Prior to the shooting, Ensley repeatedly yelled for Distefano to leave the store.
No charges have been placed in this case. The investigation is continuing and detectives will staff the final results with the District Attorney’s Office.