NASHVILLE, Tenn. – An off-duty officer for the Goodlettsville Police Department was shot at while chasing two robbery suspects in downtown Nashville.
Officials with Metro Police said a couple was walking on the John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge near Nissan Stadium around 1 a.m. Thursday, when two alleged gunmen, identified as Ladonte Harney and Sedric Stevenson, came up and robbed them.
According to an affidavit, the suspects stole the victim's iPhone, credit cards and cash, as well as an ID.
After the incident, they ran up to another couple and asked for help. One of them happened to be off-duty Goodlettsville Police Officer Andre Sanders.
The couple asked Sanders if they could borrow his phone to call police, not realizing he was an off-duty officer.
He called dispatch, gave a description and began following the suspects.
As the two suspects were running down the stairs, they turned around and allegedly fired two shots at the officer. No one was hurt.
Police said this situation is a good reminder to always be alert and aware of your surroundings.
“Be mindful of your surroundings,” said Metro Police Capt. Jason Starling. “Anytime something doesn't look right or feel trust your instincts and know if it doesn’t look right or feel right, it's probably not right.”
Officers were able to recover the gun used in the robbery. Sanders was armed at the time but did not brandish or discharge his weapon, police said.
The 19-year-old suspects were taken into custody at the scene after a brief foot pursuit. They were charged with two counts of aggravated robbery, two counts of aggravated assault, and evading arrest.
Harney was being held in lieu of $507,500 bond. Stevenson’s was set at $505,000.
