In the late hours of a Tuesday night in Nashville, on March 24, 2026, a heated argument at a motel on McGavock Pike ended in the tragic death of 43-year-old Sharif Keller. The investigation into the incident revealed that Keller had been involved in a dispute with another man, which escalated to a physical confrontation before a single gunshot echoed through the area. When authorities arrived at the scene, they found Keller outside his motel room.
He was immediately transported to Skyline Medical Center, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries. The rooms of both Keller and the other individual involved were found vacant by detectives.
Just a few days later, on Thursday night, the diligent work of the TITANS Unit detectives led to the arrest of a suspect in connection with Keller's death. Dathen Horton, a 24-year-old man, was apprehended as he was getting out of his vehicle at a restaurant in Madison. At the time of his arrest, Horton was already wanted on three outstanding domestic assault warrants. A pistol was also recovered at the scene of his capture.
Further investigation into the fatal encounter suggests that both Keller and Horton were staying in separate rooms at the motel. Their argument turned physical, and it is believed that both men were armed with pistols. Following the shooting, Horton fled the scene. While Horton was booked on his outstanding warrants, homicide detectives are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the shooting, including the possibility of a self-defense motive.
