Convicted Felon Sentenced to Ten Years in Federal Prison on Multiple Weapons Charges Following High Speed Chase After Fleeing Arrest (DOJ)

NASHVILLE - Bryan Odell Hunter, 36, of Nashville, was sentenced yesterday to ten years in federal prison on charges of possession of ammunition by a felon, possession of a firearm by a felon, and possession of a machinegun, announced United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee Braden H. Boucek. Hunter previously pled guilty to the charges.

"Holding dangerous offenders like Hunter accountable for their actions is a high priority of our office," said Braden H. Boucek, United States Attorney. "We will continue to seek stiff sentences for felons who use guns and put both citizens and our law enforcement community at risk with their dangerous actions."

On October 14, 2023, Metropolitan Nashville Police Department (MNPD) officers responded to a shots-fired call in the Nissan stadium parking lot, in Nashville. The shooter, later identified as Hunter, fired multiple shots close in proximity to two people in the parking lot. The victims reported that they were waiting for friends when a gray Altima driven by Hunter drove erratically into the parking lot, nearly hit a tree and the curb. When one of the victims asked if the defendant was alright, he stated, "no disrespect, motherfuckers," and fired two shots into the air. The victims hid behind a car, while Hunter left the lot and drove onto Korean Veterans Bridge. About five to ten minutes later, Hunter drove back into the parking lot and toward the victims. The victims went to a nearby Exxon station and called the police. When MNPD officers arrived, they recovered two .45 caliber shell casings from the parking lot, where the victims said Hunter was when he fired.

When Hunter saw the officers, he fled. Officers pursued him through multiple counties at speeds up to 125 miles per hour. Rutherford County Sheriff's Office (RCSO) deputies joined the pursuit and attempted to deploy spike strips. Hunter swerved around them, nearly striking a deputy. RCSO deputies terminated the pursuit at the Coffee County line, at which point Hunter drove into Coffee County, turned around, and headed back into Rutherford County. The RCSO deputies set up spike strips again, and this time they succeeded in spiking the Altima. Hunter then crashed the car near Exit 89 on I-24 West. When he got out of the car, he refused to comply with the commands given by police for him to get on the ground. As a result, an officer deployed his taser, after which Hunter was placed into custody.

When officers searched the stolen Altima, they found a Star model Firestar caliber .45 pistol, an Anderson Manufacturing model AM-15 caliber .223 rifle, three 20-round caliber 5.56x45 magazines, a full 50 round box of Winchester .45 caliber ammunition, a full 50 round box of Federal 9mm caliber ammunition, 10 rounds of .45 caliber hollow point ammunition, one round of 9mm caliber hollow point ammunition, and one rifle sight. Officers also found a pocketknife on the floor of the patrol car when they arrived at the jail in Nashville. Later while being booked, officers found a machinegun conversion switch, commonly referred to as a "Glock Switch," in the defendant's sock.

Before these events, Hunter had been convicted of four felonies in Davidson County, Tennessee, including Possession with Intent to Distribute Controlled over .5 Grams of Schedule II Controlled Substance and Reckless Endangerment; Reckless Endangerment; Attempted Especially Aggravated Robbery; and Aggravated Assault and Felon in Possession of a Firearm.

This case was investigated by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, Rutherford County Sheriff's Office and the Tennessee Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Stephens prosecuted the case.

# # # # #