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Suspect sought in deadly downtown Nashville shooting

Deadrick Street Body Presser_frame_12302.jpeg
Posted at 11:05 AM, Mar 10, 2022
and last updated 2022-03-25 17:55:54-04

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Police identified the man who was found dead in downtown Nashville on Thursday morning and released a photo of the man wanted for his murder.

Metro police said the man, Steven James Godwin, 35, of Nashville, had been shot multiple times at around 6 p.m. His body was found outside the Citizen's Plaza building on Deaderick Street. Police said there were multiple shell cases found near the body. A person in a high-rise building nearby saw Godwin on the ground Thursday morning and notified the police.

Police looked through surveillance footage from nearby businesses and buildings for more information on what happened. Officers said the man walked to Citizen's Plaza just before 6 p.m. Wednesday from a bus station. He and another person then got into an argument before shots were fired.

"We learned he emerged from the bus station shortly before 6 p.m. last evening had an altercation with another individual on the plaza near where the body is, shots were fired and the investigation is continuing to identify the person responsible," said Don Aaron, MNPD spokesperson.

Late Thursday, Metro Police released a surveillance image showing the man they believe committed the murder. He has not been identified and police are asking for the community's help to find out who he is.

Suspect wanted in Deaderick Street murder
Suspect wanted in Deaderick Street murder

Police say 19-year-old Rodney Catchings is wanted for questioning in the murder.

MNPD detectives believe Catchings was in the area and may have information about the shooting.

Rodney Catchings.jpg
Rodney Catchings

Police say an employee in a nearby building could see through a high-rise window a man on the ground at the plaza around 7 a.m. Thursday.

He thought the person was asleep until he checked again. The body hadn't moved, so he called police.

Police arrived after 9 a.m. to find the victim with apparent gunshot wounds and shell casings near his body.

"It’s bad, it’s sickening. People just don’t understand there are no more love anymore. We have people hating each other now," said Beatrice Canady.

Canady who works in the area says the shootings in Nashville are getting out of hand and say this should have never happened.

"Ain’t nothing worth nobody’s life, I don’t care what it is not even a trillion dollars worth nobody’s life," said Canady. "They can have the money I rather have my live."