In a tragic turn of events, a verbal altercation inside a Nashville apartment led to the fatal shooting of 51-year-old James Span. The dispute, which began inside an apartment in the 800 block of Taylor Street, resulted in both Span and the suspect, Joseph D. Smith, also 51, being asked to leave the residence. Shortly after they departed, the sound of gunshots echoed through the alley behind the building.
Responding to the reports of gunfire, Metro Nashville Police officers arrived at
the scene to find a grim discovery. James Span was found lifeless in the driver's seat of his Dodge minivan, having succumbed to a gunshot wound. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The ensuing investigation pointed detectives toward Joseph D. Smith as the primary suspect in the shooting.
North Precinct detectives later located and arrested Joseph D. Smith, charging him with criminal homicide for his alleged involvement in James Span's death. It was revealed that Smith, who is homeless, has a prior conviction for second-degree murder dating back to 1988. The investigation suggests that the argument that started inside the apartment escalated, culminating in the fatal shooting in the alley.
