By Janet Kim
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – A man was shot in the chest after he stopped to help some men who flagged him down.
Metro Nashville Police Department said three men flagged down the victim around 1:15 a.m. Friday while he was driving along Joseph Avenue. When he pulled over, they asked for cigarettes. That's when witnesses reported hearing shots.
"Our victim lives in the area; we believe he was driving home. Obviously if someone flags you down or if they seem like they are asking for help, if it's not a well-lit or safe area, then the best thing to do is call the police department and let us know there was someone on the side of the road requesting help," said Metro Police Captain Kenneth Walburn.
The 22-year-old man was shot in the chest, and drove to a nearby Z-Mart on Dickerson Pike for help.
He was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, but his injuries were considered non-life threatening.
Investigators are hoping to speak to the victim as well as anyone else who may have seen what happened.
"During the conversation, we have two witnesses, one stated they heard a popping noise and the other witness say they actually saw a shooting. They saw the suspect shoot into the truck," Walburn added.
Police are still trying to identify a motive. Initial reports said this was possibly an attempted car-jacking, but there is no evidence of that yet.
Police said they are looking for three people who ran off on foot.
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