Updated October 30th – While at the scene of the incident, detectives contacted the 22nd District Attorney General’s Office (DAGO) and have been in constant contact with the DAGO to ensure that all evidence needed for their prosecutorial review was collected. Detectives interviewed both females who were involved in the altercation that led to a single round from a handgun being fired. There were no injuries due to this round being fired. Detectives watched Target store surveillance video and cell phone video that captured part of the incident. Detectives also interviewed all known witnesses. Due to a self-defense claim from the woman who fired the handgun, no arrest was made at the scene. Tennessee Code Annotated 39-11-611 (self-defense) explains when a person can use force to defend themselves.
On October 24th detectives met at the DAGO to provide all the evidence collected at this point in the investigation for a preliminary review. After this review of evidence, the DAGO felt that the female who did not fire the handgun had committed the offense of misdemeanor assault during the physical altercation with the other female. On October 29th, detectives issued a misdemeanor citation in lieu of custody to the 38-year-old woman with an address in Spring Hill.
The elected District Attorney General is reviewing the self-defense claim. Since the investigation is ongoing, no further information will be released at this time.
The charges and allegations referenced in this release are merely accusations of criminal conduct, not evidence. A defendant enjoys the presumption of innocence unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt and convicted in a court of law.
Spring Hill, TN – On October 23rd at 7:10 pm SHPD officers responded to a disturbance at Target (1033 Crossings Blvd) to a reported argument inside the store between two women. The investigation into the incident revealed that two women were shopping in the back section of Target when they got into an argument for reasons that are still under investigation. The verbal argument turned into a physical fight between the two women. For reasons that are still under investigation, one woman fired one round from a handgun in the direction of the other woman. The round did not hit any person. The suspect female was seen on video leaving the store and getting into a car with the person that she came into the store with. That car then left the area. The two women did not know each other.
Detectives are speaking to witnesses and have taken a statement from the woman who was shot at. The shooter was identified as a 24-year-old woman with an address on her driver’s license in Columbia, TN. The suspect is cooperating and providing a statement to detectives. The investigation is ongoing. More information will be released at the appropriate time.
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