Early this morning, Franklin Police Officers working a special anti-crime detail attempted to stop a suspicious vehicle on Downs Boulevard near Willowsprings Boulevard. During that attempted traffic stop, one of the occupants pointed a gun at police before the driver of that vehicle crashed into a field near New Hope Academy. All three suspects bailed out of the vehicle and fled on foot. Officers quickly captured one of the suspects. He was armed with two handguns at the time of his arrest. A second suspect, who was hiding in a shed behind New Hope Academy, was captured a short time later. The suspect vehicle was determined to have been stolen out of Nashville.
Additional officers arrived and began scouring the area for the final, at-large suspect, who also may be armed. Officers worked with New Hope Academy administration to search the inside of the school before students began arriving, and have had officers stationed at the school while the search for the suspect continues. Franklin Police alerted citizens not to leave their vehicles running and unattended, and to keep their car doors, homes, and outbuildings locked while going about their morning activities.
Police are still trying to locate a light-skinned, black male teenager who was wearing all black clothing. As time passes, the likelihood increases that the suspect may have gotten a ride out of the area. Franklin Police continue to be present at and around New Hope Academy as a precaution.
The suspects currently in custody are a 17-year-old male and an 18-year-old female, both from Nashville.
