Verbal dispute between acquaintances leads to triple shooting

Murfreesboro Police Department (MPD) detectives say a dispute between acquaintances led to a triple shooting Thursday, June 18.

Officers were dispatched to a home in the 1700 block of Herald Lane around 4:30 a.m. Thursday morning to report of a shooting. Upon arrival, officers found 22-year-old Eric Simmons in an upstairs room suffering from gunshot wounds. He was transported to Vanderbilt University Medical Center where he underwent surgery. He is listed in critical condition.

The preliminary investigation revealed, Simmons and two acquaintances, 21-year-old D’Juan Bowers and 19-year-old Tywan Smith had a verbal dispute at the Herald Lane home. Simmons allegedly pointed a gun at Bowers and Smith before shooting at them. Bowers and Smith both shot back at him. All three suffered gunshots.

Bowers and Smith were taken to Ascension St. Thomas Rutherford Hospital via a private vehicle.

Smith was treated and released. He was taken to the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center and later released to the custody of Metro Nashville Police Department where he had outstanding criminal warrants for attempted murder and felony vandalism in a separate case.

Bowers is listed in stable condition at Vanderbilt Medical Center.

The shooting remains under investigation by detectives with the Criminal Investigations Division.