UPDATE: Nashville Police Name Person of Interest in Explosion Christmas Morning MNPD

Nashville Metro Police identify the RV involved in the explosion on Christmas morning. Multiple law enforcement agencies were investigation a house with a person of interest who is believed to reside there but is not a suspect. Reports are that remains have been found at the scene and the MNPD will update.

FBI Update: On December 25, 2020, at approximately 5:30 a.m. Central Time, a large explosion occurred on 2nd Ave N near a downtown Nashville, Tennessee business. The explosion has been linked to a recreational vehicle (RV).

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI); the Metro Nashville Police Department; and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) are currently looking for information concerning the operator or owner of this RV, which arrived in the area at approximately 1:22 a.m. Central Time. In particular, individuals are being sought who were in the area of downtown Nashville around 1:00 a.m. Central Time.

If you have any images, videos, or other information you may have related to the explosion in downtown Nashville, please visit fbi.gov/nashville. If you do not have an attachment but have information to provide, please submit it at tips.fbi.gov or call 1-800-CALL-FBI.

7:15 AM: An explosion linked to a vehicle occurred at 6:30 this morning outside 166 2nd Ave N downtown. Investigation active by MNPD & federal partners.

MNPD, FBI & ATF investigating the 6:30 a.m. explosion on 2nd Ave N linked to a vehicle. This appears to have been an intentional act. Law enforcement is closing downtown streets as investigation continues.

With a crime rate of 54 per one thousand residents, Nashville has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes – from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One’s chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 19,

Homicides are up over 30% with many being unsolved, Assaults are up by nearly one fifth according to police statistics.

Metro Nashville Police, as are other police departments are trying to fight the rising crime, add protections despite financial shortfalls.

Metro Nashville is beginning full deployment of body-worn cameras.

As part of its response to the revenue shortfall caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Motorola, previously WatchGuard. Inc., the vendor selected by the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) in August 2019 to provide the department with in-car and body-worn cameras (BWCs), has agreed to delay payment for Nashville’s camera system for two years. That decision, along with creative problem-solving from local stakeholders, has allowed Metro to resume movement toward the full deployment of BWCs and in-car cameras.

“Body-worn cameras will promote trust between law enforcement officers and the communities they are sworn to serve,” said Mayor Cooper. “They will be an important tool in addressing racial injustice throughout Davidson County. Since campaigning for office, I have supported body-worn cameras in Nashville and the need to invest in this vital technology the right way. We are delivering on that commitment today, and we are doing it in a cost responsible way.”