East Tennessee Man, Teen Girl Charged In West Nashville Shooting: Police

NASHVILLE, TN — Metro Police have charged Daniel Clark, 28, and Trinity Quinn, 15, with homicide, especially aggravated robbery and attempted auto theft after the shooting death of a West Nashville gas station clerk Tuesday night. The alleged murder sparked a manhunt throughout West Nashville for the pair that lasted through mid-morning Wednesday.

John Stevens, 58, was shot and killed during what police say was a robbery attempt at the Exxon at the corner of Davidson Road and Charlotte Pike around 9:30 p.m. Tuesday.

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Quinn and Clark were found around 10:30 Wednesday morning near Charlotte Pike and Old Hickory Boulevard.

"Both individuals are under investigation for a homicide. Both are homicide suspects. It is this departments belief that (Quinn) had the opportunity to flee. We do not see any indication she was held against her will," Metro Police spokesman Don Aaron said Wednesday morning.

Investigators said the teenager shopped for a few minutes before Clerk approached the counter and spoke with Stevens. He then raised his gun and fired and then pointed it at Stevens' head, according to police. Surveillance footage shows Stevens attempt to knock away or grab the gun before Clark stepped back and shot Stevens several times, according to police, then pulled his body from behind the counter and rifled his pockets, taking keys, none of which fit any of the cars in the gas station parking lot.

A tow truck driver saw the teenager on the side of the road near the Charlotte-OHB intersection and called police. A SWAT team surrounded an embankment near the roadside and the pair eventually surrendered.

Quinn was called an "endangered teen" by police in Rhea County. She was last seen at Rhea Central Elementary School Monday morning; Clark was quickly identified as a person of interest in her disappearance. The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation issued an Amber Alert for Quinn Wednesday morning. Quinn's mother told Chattanooga TV station WRCB she thinks her daughter had planned to leave, as some of her clothing and make-up were missing and she had asked her stepfather for money; there is some indication the pair may have been traveling to Kentucky.

Clark's minivan was found near the Exxon shortly after the shooting.

A manhunt for Clark and the teen continued into the morning hours of Wednesday. A SWAT team was seen entering the vacant Brookmeade Elementary School and police helicopters were aiding in the search.

Image via Olivia Lind