Nashville Man Denied Cigarettes Waves Switchblade, Gets Taken Down By Bystander

NASHVILLE, TN — A quick-thinking, fast-running, permit-holding Nashvillian subdued a switchblade-waving, slur-spitting man angered he was refused cigarettes at a West End gas station, according to police.

William Lampley, 59, asked customers in the parking lot of the Exxon at 3400 West End for cigarettes February 13. Refused, Lampley "became belligerent and cursed loudly" and then pulled a switchblade, threatening to "light them up," according to a police report. A quartet of customers then went inside the store and a clerk locked the door. Lampley continued to swing the knife and curse, telling the clerk "get out here, you n-----, I'll cut you."

Ray Goodman, one of the customers, tried to intervene, but with the situation deteriorating, made a split-second decision to dash back to his truck and retrieve his handgun. Goodman, a handgun carry permit holder, told NewsChannel 5 what he did was next was "instinctual."

"Once he saw me draw on him and he lowered his hand, I just reached over real fast and grabbed him and kind of slung him, he fell and I fell down on top of him," he told the station. Goodman was able to get the knife from Lampley, according to police, and hold him in place until nearby patrol cars arrived.

Lampley is charged with criminal trespass, public intoxication and five counts of aggravated assault. For more local news that affects you, find and subscribe to your local Middle Tennessee Patch.

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