NASHVILLE, Tenn. - Investigators are having trouble coaxing witnesses to come forward in East Nashville's first murder case of the year.
A teenager was shot to death on the sidewalk outside the James Casey Public Housing Project. Several witnesses actually saw the shooting, but police cannot get them to talk.
Last week 18-year-old Deonte Darrington was walking down the street when he met someone near the intersection of South 7th and Sylvan Street.
"He's walking down the street and the suspect approaches him, fires several shots at him as he's trying to run away," said Matt Filter with the Metro Nashville Police Department.
The shooter ran toward South 8th Street. Police think it was a drug deal and something went wrong.
Paramedics rushed Darrington to Vanderbilt University Medical Center where he died a couple of hours later. Detectives said they've got leads, but there are witnesses who may be able to help them.
"The biggest problem we're having is having witnesses come forward willing to work with us, tell us what they saw and who they saw do the shooting. We know there were several witnesses out there," said Filter.
If you can help police solve the murder of Deonte Darrington call Crime Stoppers at 74-CRIME. Your information could be worth up to $1,000 in cash.
You can also text Crime Stoppers anonymously, text the word CASH and your message to CRIMES.
