East Precinct detectives continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding a reported shooting last night at 1219 Chester Avenue.
The homeowner, Tommy Wilkerson II, initially reported that two men kicked in his back door at 9:30 p.m. and he fired shots from a .22 rifle, striking one of the suspects. Later, Wilkerson, 59, admitted that his son, parolee Tommy Wilkerson III, had called him and told him that he had shot an intruder.
Wilkerson III, 30, left the scene before police arrived. Efforts continue to locate Wilkerson III, who is a registered ex-convict for felony drug convictions in Rutherford and Coffee Counties.
No shooting victims have been located.
East Precinct detectives are continuing to investigate Sunday morning’s chain of events that prompted a homeowner to fire shotgun rounds at two suspected burglars in the area of South 19th and Boscobel Streets.
Aaron Harris, 36, told police that he fired a warning shot from inside his South 19th Street home after he was awakened by a person or persons entering through a window at 12:15 a.m. Harris said he then went outside and saw two men running from his property.
Harris said he yelled “Freeze!” prompting one of the individuals, Michael D. Brewer, to stop. While subduing Brewer, Harris struck him in the head with the stock of the shotgun. Harris walked Brewer back into his yard, made him lie prone, and yelled for his neighbors to call police. While detaining Brewer, Harris said a red pickup truck pulled up to the yard containing alleged accomplice Stephen Mayo, who, Harris said, was yelling for Brewer. Harris said he told Mayo to stay put, and that when Mayo started to get out of the truck, he fired two shotgun blasts at him. Mayo was wounded in the head and crashed the truck.
Mayo was admitted to Vanderbilt University Medical Center. A warrant charging him with aggravated burglary is outstanding. Brewer was booked Sunday morning on a charge of aggravated burglary. His bond was set at $25,000.
Harris’ use of force will be part of the case file documentation that will be reviewed by the District Attorney’s Office.
Michael D. Brewer
