Duantez Jenkins, a 37-year-old father from Nashville, Tennessee, was killed in a shootout on the night of Tuesday, October 20, 2026. His death brought further tragedy to a family still mourning a recent and profound loss, leaving his surviving children and loved ones to navigate another devastating void.
Just over a year before his own death, Duantez experienced the loss of his 19-year-old daughter, Janiyah Mae'oshe Batey, who passed away in July 2025.
Her obituary remembered her as a beloved daughter who attended Metro Nashville Public Schools and shared an unconditional love for her parents, Duantez Jenkins and Erica "Shay" Batey. Besides his daughter Janiyah, Duantez was also a father to his sons, Jemerious Brown, Dmartez Jenkins, and Duantez Jenkins Jr. His role as a father was a significant part of his life, now silenced by violence.
The fatal encounter happened late at night, at approximately 11:45 p.m., at an apartment complex located at 158 Charles E. Davis Boulevard. The building is situated in Nashville's J.C. Napier neighborhood, a residential area just south of downtown. According to the Metro Nashville Police Department's investigation, the incident began in an alleyway just to the west of the apartment building. There, detectives believe, Duantez became involved in an exchange of gunfire with at least one other person.
During the shootout, Duantez was struck in the chest. Wounded, he retreated from the alley and tried to get to safety inside one of the apartments. He managed to make it through the rear entrance of a unit but collapsed just inside the doorway. When police officers responded to reports of the shooting, they found Duantez unresponsive. He was pronounced dead at the scene from the single gunshot wound.
Homicide detectives from the Metro Nashville Police Department were called to the scene to lead the investigation. They cordoned off the area around the apartment building and the alley, searching for shell casings and any other physical evidence that could shed light on the confrontation. A key part of their early efforts involved canvassing the area for witnesses and collecting and reviewing surveillance video footage from the apartment complex and nearby properties. The goal was to identify the other individual or individuals involved in the gun battle with Duantez and to understand the sequence of events that led to the deadly violence.
In the immediate aftermath, police publicly identified Duantez Jenkins as the victim and released details about the circumstances of his death. However, they did not announce any suspects or make any arrests. The investigation remains focused on piecing together the evidence and generating leads from the community. As of the latest reports in October 2026, the case is unsolved. Key questions about what precipitated the argument and who fired the fatal shot remain unanswered.
Authorities have strongly urged anyone with information about the murder of Duantez Jenkins to come forward, emphasizing that even a small detail could be crucial. The Metro Nashville Police Department has asked the public to contact Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463 or the Department of Emergency Communications at 615-862-8600. Callers can remain anonymous, and their help could be the key to providing answers and a measure of justice for a family grieving the loss of a father, son, and brother.
