Two Suspected Robbers Shot Saturday Morning in Murfreesboro Pike Parking Lot, One Fatally

Homicide Unit detectives have determined that the two men shot in a Murfreesboro Pike liquor store parking lot shortly after 4 a.m. today were there to commit a suspected drug-related armed robbery.

Hermitage Precinct officers found Brandon Watson, 42, dead in the parking lot. His accomplice, Antione Ellis, 44, was shot in the neck. He drove himself to Southern Hills Medical Center and was transferred to Skyline Medical Center for treatment. Arrest warrants have been issued charging Ellis with aggravated robbery, aggravated assault and felony gun possession. He will be arrested upon his discharge from the hospital.

The investigation shows that Watson and Ellis arrived in a Jeep and backed into a parking space in the 2622 Murfreesboro Pike parking lot. Ellis got out of the passenger side and walked to a secluded area. Watson got out with an apparent long gun and placed it against the back of the Jeep. A short time later, a Dodge Charger arrived and parked next to the Jeep. Watson walked toward the Charger and began communicating with the driver as Ellis emerged from the secluded area, armed himself with the long gun, and began to walk toward the Charger. He pointed the weapon at the interior of the car as Watson attempted to rob the driver by reaching inside. The driver of the Charger was able to break free from Watson and began to fire shots out of the window, causing Watson and Ellis to run. The Charger driver then got out and fired several more rounds toward Watson and Ellis as Ellis shot back. The Charger fled the scene. Ellis tried to load Watson into the Jeep, was unsuccessful, and drove away by himself en route to Southern Hills Medical Center.

Detectives are pursuing leads as they work to locate the driver of the Charger.