Bryan Odell Hunter, a 36-year-old resident of Nashville, has been sentenced to ten years in federal prison following his guilty plea to charges of possession of ammunition by a felon, possession of a firearm by a felon, and possession of a machinegun. The sentencing was announced by United States Attorney for the Middle District of Tennessee Braden H. Boucek.
“Holding dangerous offenders like Hunter accountable for their actions is a high priority of our office,” said Braden H. Boucek, United States Attorney. “We will continue to seek stiff sentences for felons who use guns and put both citizens and our law enforcement community at risk with their dangerous actions.”
The incident began on October 14, 2023, when officers from the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department responded to reports of gunfire in the Nissan stadium parking lot in Nashville. According to authorities, Hunter was identified as the shooter after he fired multiple shots near two people in the parking lot. Witnesses stated that they were waiting for friends when Hunter drove erratically into the area and nearly hit obstacles before firing two shots into the air following an exchange with one of the victims.
After leaving briefly, Hunter returned to the parking lot before the victims sought safety at a nearby Exxon station and called police. Officers recovered shell casings from the scene matching witness accounts.
When law enforcement arrived and attempted to apprehend him, Hunter fled at high speed through several counties, reaching speeds up to 125 miles per hour. The Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office joined in pursuit and made attempts to stop him using spike strips; during this time, Hunter nearly struck a deputy while evading capture. After additional pursuit efforts that crossed county lines multiple times, deputies successfully deployed spike strips causing Hunter's vehicle to crash near Exit 89 on I-24 West.
Following his arrest—after refusing commands and being subdued with a taser—officers searched what was determined to be a stolen vehicle. They discovered firearms including a Star model Firestar .45 caliber pistol and an Anderson Manufacturing AM-15 rifle, along with several loaded magazines and boxes of ammunition. A pocketknife was also found inside the patrol car upon arrival at jail facilities in Nashville. During booking procedures, officers located a machinegun conversion switch hidden in Hunter’s sock.
Hunter had prior felony convictions in Davidson County for offenses including drug distribution, reckless endangerment, attempted especially aggravated robbery, aggravated assault, and previous illegal firearm possession.
The case was investigated by multiple agencies: Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives; Metropolitan Nashville Police Department; Rutherford County Sheriff’s Office; and Tennessee Highway Patrol. Assistant U.S. Attorney Rachel Stephens prosecuted the case.
