Attempted Homicide Arrest
In the course of their investigation into the shooting of Byrus M. Hughes which occurred Thursday, May 3, 2018 on S. University Street detectives identified the suspect as Antonio Starnes (dob 11-13-1977 b/m). Mr. Hughes remains in critical condition at this time.
Today, May 8, 2018 just after noon, detectives saw him driving on S. Hancock Street with an unidentified passenger and attempted to initiate a traffic stop. The suspect began to flee. While attempting to turn onto E. Main Street he crashed into another vehicle traveling eastbound on E. Main Street.
The suspect was immediately secured at the crash scene by detectives. Upon initial medical assessment by Rutherford County Emergency Medical Services Starnes was found to have a recent gunshot wound to his side and injuries from the crash. He was then rushed by RCEMS to Vanderbilt University Medical Center for treatment. The source of his gunshot wound, which occurred just prior to police contact, is still under investigation.
His passenger was transported to St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital for moderate injuries sustained in the crash due to failure to wear his seatbelt. The two occupants of the other vehicle were also transported to St. Thomas Rutherford for evaluation of minor injuries.
The injuries sustained by the suspect were found to be minor upon evaluation at Vanderbilt and he is being released to police custody to be booked into the Rutherford County Detention Center on charges of Attempted First Degree Murder and Evading Arrest. Additional charges are pending the outcome of the Tennessee Highway Patrol investigation of the crash.
