NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) announced the arrest of two suspected shooters involved with Saturday’s deadly Jefferson Street shooting during Tennessee State University’s Homecoming celebration.
Marquez Davis and DeAnthony Brown, both 24, were arrested by detectives with the Specialized Investigations TITANS division, according to a post from the MNPD on X.
Court documents state Davis and Brown were identified by security camera footage at a nearby building and a MNPD safety camera trailer in the parking lot where the shooting occurred. Investigators reportedly recognized Brown in the footage due to his “involvement in gang activity.” Additionally, police received “numerous tips” that pointed to Brown and Davis as suspects.
Around 5 p.m., the pair reportedly entered a parking lot on Jefferson Street where Tennessee State University homecoming festivities were taking place. Officials said three others with a rival group, including 24-year-old Vonquae Johnson, were on a sidewalk adjacent to the parking lot.
The groups approached each other and began exchanging words. According to court documents, Davis was the first person captured on video pulling out a gun and pointing it at the victim, Johnson. Brown followed immediately after, pulling a gun out of his waistband. The victim produced his weapon, and Davis and Brown began firing shots at him, reports said. The other group members then pulled out their guns and fired.
Johnson was critically injured and taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center where he later died. The two group members with him were also shot and transported to a nearby hospital.
Brown was captured on video footage running southbound on foot after the incident. Davis was captured limping after him in the same direction.
After a two-day search, officers apprehended Brown and Johnson on Oct. 14. Both were taken into custody at a short-term rental on 26th Avenue North and charged with criminal homicide, according to MNPD.
A follow-up post said that Davis was carrying a gun before being apprehended by detectives on Monday. Davis was convicted of robbery, felony gun possession and felony drug charges in April, according to the MNPD.
The arrest came hours after MNPD provided an update in the investigation stating that gang activity was suspected to play a role in the deadly shooting.