One suspect wanted for killing a Nashville man, shooting a teen and trying to shoot three more teens was apprehended Thursday in Murfreesboro by Metro Nashville Police and Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office’s Special Response Team.
Suspect Charzelle Swafford, 21, was charged with criminal homicide in the shooting death of Dejuantae Moore, 20, Oct. 1 inside an apartment in the James Cayce public housing development, Metro Nashville Police reported.
Acting on a Crime Stoppers’ tip, officers assigned to the Metro Nashville Police Department’s Special Response Team, along with the Rutherford County Sheriff’s Special Response Team, took Swafford into custody Thursday without incident at a Courtland Street home in Murfreesboro.
Swafford was accused of firing multiple shots at Moore who died on the scene, Metro Nashville Police reported. Swafford then shot Taurus Williams, 15, who ran out the front door before collapsing nearby. Williams remains in stable condition at Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital.
He allegedly ran upstairs and attempted to shoot three other teens but the gun did not fire. Swafford, who has previous convictions for theft and drug possession, fled on foot. A Crime Stoppers tip led the two SRTs to arrest him in Murfreesboro.
Rutherford County Sheriff Robert F. Arnold initiated the SRT team last September. The purpose is to have Felony Arrest Special Tactical team members, who are specifically trained for high risk entries and apprehension, readily available on every shift to respond to calls of this level.
Before SRT’s initiation, FAST team members functioned on a call out system that required time for personnel to arrive, gather equipment and regroup at a scene. The SRT is now available at a moment’s notice, 24 hours, seven days a week.
“The SRT concept saves valuable time and money because trained personnel already performing patrol duties make an immediate response without calling out other FAST members unless the situation calls for additional members,” Arnold said.