October 08, 2026
Gun Jammed at Nashville Federal Courthouse — Security Opens Fire, Man Killed
Headline card by The Night Desk
What happened
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — A man armed with a pistol and knife was fatally shot by a security officer Thursday just inside the busy entrance of the federal courthouse in downtown Nashville, authorities said.
The shooting took place at the downtown Fred D. Thompson U.S. Courthouse and Federal Building, 719 Church Street, around 9:30 a.m. CT.
According to Metro Nashville Police spokesperson Don Aaron, the 42-year-old man entered the lobby of the courthouse, pulled a gun and pulled the trigger. The gun jammed — so the man pulled out a knife instead.
A security guard, who Aaron said worked for the U.S. Marshals Service and was manning the checkpoint at the public entrance, opened fire on the man.
The man is identified
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation identified the man as 42-year-old Jack Henson II. No hometown was released, though police earlier said he was from out of state.
First responders transported him to Vanderbilt University Medical Center in critical condition. He was later pronounced dead. No other injuries were reported.
What we know — and what we don't
The U.S. Marshals Service said the armed man charged at the security guard, a USMS contracted security officer. "The CSO gave orders to stop but the assailant did not," the agency said. "Upon the assailant's refusal to stop, the CSO fired his service weapon, striking the assailant."
"He was not a litigant at the courthouse... not on the docket today. He was not there to appear for a judge," Aaron said. Investigators did not immediately know why he was at the courthouse, and a search of his car found "nothing threatening."
First Assistant U.S. Attorney Rob McGuire called the shooting unprecedented: "There have been security instances where a person acts up or acts inappropriately and has to be removed from the premises, but nothing even approaching this kind of situation."
The TBI is leading the shooting investigation at the request of the 20th Judicial District Attorney General's office and the U.S. Marshals Office. The FBI, ATF, and Metro police are also assisting.
The Night Desk will update this story as the investigation develops.
Source: Associated Press — read the original report
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