Javaris Godfrey, 28, is being held in the Metro Jail without bond after being charged Thursday night with criminal homicide for the June 25 12:05 a.m. murder of Nashvillian Jami Jamar Bell on board a Greyhound bus just after it pulled into the Nashville terminal.
Godfrey, of Florida, was located Thursday night at a Nashville homeless shelter. He was developed as a suspect, in part, after luggage containing an empty pistol holster and believed to belong to him was left unclaimed at the bus station.
Witnesses reported that the bus had come to a stop and the driver was making announcements when a shot was heard. The suspected gunman then yelled for people to get out of the way as he ran down the aisle and off the bus. He continued to flee on foot toward Division Street. Witnesses did not hear any arguing prior to the gunshot.
Bell and Godfrey are believed to have gotten on the bus in Tallahassee, Florida. The motive for the fatal shooting remains under investigation. During an interview at police headquarters, Godfrey admitted to being on the bus and owning the recovered luggage. However, he denied any knowledge of the empty pistol holster or involvement in the shooting.Homicide Unit Detective Charles Duke is leading this investigation.
Godfrey’s photo is not being released at present pending lineups with other passengers on the bus. One passenger has identified Godfrey as the man who was pushing passengers and telling them to get out of the way as he fled the bus after the gunshot.