News

Actions

Teen suspect arrested for restaurant owner's murder; twin brother still sought

Posted
and last updated

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — One suspect in the murder of a Nashville business owner who was killed in the crossfire of a shootout Sunday was arrested Thursday, while the suspect's twin brother remains at large.

Marcos Leyva-Hernandez, 17, has been charged with criminal homicide for the death of 39-year-old Hwarang Joo, owner of the Hot Stuff Chicken restaurant in the Mill Creek Village shopping center on Bell Road.

Marcos Leyva-Hernandez mug for web.jpg
Marcos Leyva-Hernandez, 17

Joo had just left his business when gunshots were exchanged. He was hit during the shootout in the 1300 block of Bell Road and his Volkswagen accelerated before crashing into a nearby dental office.

Metro police investigators say the Leyva-Hernandez brothers allegedly used an AR-style rifle to open fire at people inside a Dodge Charger nearby. The brothers fled in a Ford Taurus and the three people in the Charger, who police say were not hit, also fled.

Metro police are still searching for Leyva-Hernandez's twin brother Emilio in connection to the deadly shooting. Investigators ask that anyone who has seen him or the Ford Taurus the brothers were seen driving the day of the shooting is asked to call 911 or Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463.

Emilio Leyva-Hernandez suspect photo MNPD.jpg
Emilio Leyva-Hernandez

The car has a rust spot and front-end damage. Images of the car and Emilio Leyva-Hernandez are included in the photographs above this article.

Do you have more information about this story? You can email me at newsroom@newschannel5.com.

See Related: Antioch restaurant owner killed while leaving business in Sunday night shootout

Meet Trashley! New commercial pays tribute to 1970s Tennessee anti-litter ad

You'll love her and you'll love to hate her! Meet Trashley: the bad girl of Nashville littering. She stars in a new campaign that's a throwback to an anti-litter movement from years past. Her role has been reimagined by NDOT as a fast-paced, Dukes of Hazzard-style wrecking ball of a lady. You'll find yourself cracking up as you meet the actress behind Trashley and hear how she landed the role of Queen of Trash.

-Rebecca Schleicher