On the evening of November 15, 2023, 36-year-old Josue Riscart Chirino, a White / Caucasian male, was found dead inside a recording studio on McDaniel Street in North Nashville. Officers responding to the scene discovered Chirino seated in a chair, having sustained multiple gunshot wounds. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The investigation into the shooting quickly pointed toward a long-time acquaintance of Chirino.
The day after the discovery of Chirino's body, 39-year-old Kenneth
DeWayne Beach surrendered to the authorities. During an interview with police, Beach admitted to his involvement in the fatal shooting and was subsequently charged with criminal homicide. In June 2024, a grand jury indicted Beach on the more severe charge of first-degree murder.
Further details emerged regarding Beach's mental health history. His family revealed that they had sought psychiatric help for him in the days leading up to the shooting due to his deteriorating mental state. Despite their efforts, he was released from a hospital after only an overnight stay. It was also reported that Beach had a prior criminal history, including an attempted murder charge in 2004 where he was found not guilty by reason of insanity. Following that verdict, he received treatment and was in a mandated outpatient program until 2011. His family disclosed that he had been diagnosed with bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, and depression.
