Shawn Terry Demont Newby, a 44-year-old resident of Nashville, has been sentenced to five years in federal prison. This decision follows his guilty plea to one count of being a felon in possession of a firearm, as announced by Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire for the Middle District of Tennessee.
"So many of our citizens use public transportation to get to school, go to work, and live their daily lives," said Acting United States Attorney Robert E. McGuire. "They need to be able to do all of those things without fear of getting shot. Prosecutions like this hold shooters accountable and protect all of our community from random violence on public transportation."
The incident occurred on January 6, 2024, when Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) officers responded to a shooting at a WeGo bus station located at 3458 Dickerson Pike in Nashville. Court documents reveal that Newby discharged a firearm after an altercation near the bus stop. Security footage captured the event and recorded Newby identifying himself by name while speaking with the bus driver before leaving the scene.
Newby was found nearby on a sidewalk where he discarded a Taurus PT-22 pistol as police approached. Officers also recovered shell casings from the location of the shooting.
Previously convicted for crimes including voluntary manslaughter and reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon, Newby's criminal history includes several felony offenses in Davidson County, Tennessee.
Following his prison term, Newby will undergo three years of supervised release.
The investigation was conducted by the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives along with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department. Assistant U.S. Attorney Herbert L. Bunton III prosecuted the case.
This case falls under Project Safe Neighborhoods (PSN), an initiative aimed at reducing violent crime through collaboration between law enforcement agencies and communities. The program emphasizes building trust within communities, supporting preventive measures against violence, setting strategic enforcement priorities, and evaluating outcomes.
