Self-Defense Claim Under Investigation In Friday Night Fatal Shooting In Hermitage

From the City of Nashville:

February 6, 2021

Homicide Unit detectives are investigating a claim of self-defense in Friday night’s fatal shooting of Timothy Wilks, 20, in the parking lot of Urban Air on Old Hickory Boulevard in Hermitage.

When officers responded to the scene at 9:25 p.m., David Starnes Jr., 23, was there and admitted to shooting Wilks.

Detectives were told that Wilks and a friend were participating in a “prank” robbery as part of a YouTube video and approached a group of people, including Starnes, with butcher knives. Starnes said he was unaware of the prank and shot Wilks in defense of himself and others.

No charges have been placed at present. The investigation is continuing.

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