Homicide Unit detectives are investigating the self-defense claim of an East Nashville Walgreens team leader who shot a suspected shoplifter in the store parking lot at 2500 Gallatin Avenue just before 8 p.m. Wednesday.
The wounded suspected shoplifter, Travonsha Ferguson, 24, is in critical but stable condition at a local hospital. Ferguson was seven months pregnant. An emergency C-Section was performed. The child, who was not injured by the gunfire, is also in critical but stable condition.
The investigation to this point shows that Walgreens team leader Mitarius Boyd, 21, was notified by another employee that two females were stealing items from the store. Boyd said he saw the women placing items into a store cart and into a large over-the-shoulder bag. Boyd said he began recording the women with his cell phone and followed them as they exited the store without paying for the merchandise. Boyd said as the women began placing items into the trunk of their car, he made his way to the rear side of the vehicle. He said one of the women pulled a can of mace and began spraying it at him. Boyd said he then pulled his semi-automatic pistol and began shooting, saying he was in fear and didn’t know if they were armed. The women fled in the car. Boyd went back into the store and called 911.
The other woman with Ferguson dropped her off at General Hospital and drove away. Ferguson, who had multiple gunshot wounds, was then transferred by ambulance to Vanderbilt.
Boyd cooperated with detectives. His gun was seized and detectives are in possession of his cell phone. At the completion of the investigation, detectives will staff their findings with the District Attorney’s Office for a determination as to whether Boyd will face charges.