Knife-wielding thief shot, killed by armed citizen

Originally ran here as:
"Robbery suspect killed in shooting"
Saturday, 03/31/01

The Tennessean -- A Murfreesboro Pike businessman's fatal shooting of a knife-wielding robbery suspect yesterday afternoon was justifiable, police said.

The suspect was a 44-year-old man whose last known address was a Nashville homeless shelter, Metro Police spokesman Don Aaron said in a news release. The man's name was being withheld because his family had not been notified.

Aaron gave this account of the shooting:

At 2:15 p.m., the suspect entered King's Florist, 722 Murfreesboro Pike, and told owner Paulette King, 45, of Antioch, that he was there to rob the store. Holding a knife at King's throat, the robber dragged her to the cash register and took less than $30.

As the robber began forcing King to the back of the shop, she yelled for help. Next door at Unique Hair Design, 720 Murfreesboro Pike, Wayne T. Martin heard her cries.

Martin yelled back at King, and the robber fled. King told Martin she had just been robbed. Martin and his son ran outside, saw the suspect running north on Murfreesboro Pike and followed in a vehicle.

They caught up with him in the parking lot of Music City Dodge, 710 Murfreesboro Pike.

Martin jumped out and ordered the suspect to the ground, but the suspect pulled his knife on Martin. Martin pulled his gun, but the suspect came at him with a knife.

Martin, who has a valid handgun carry permit, fired twice, hitting the suspect in the chest.

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