A routine shopping trip in Nashville turned fatal for 40-year-old Avery Collier on January 3, 2021. Collier and his girlfriend had a brief verbal exchange with an unfamiliar man near the Target entrance; minutes later the two men encountered one another again near the electronics department. During that second confrontation the other man drew a handgun and opened fire. Collier, who was unarmed, was shot and died at the scene; the shooter continued firing after Collier collapsed.

The shooter left the store with other patrons but soon returned to the front, placed a gun in a planter and surrendered as police arrived, admitting to being the shooter. He was arrested and charged with criminal homicide. Friends and family described Collier as kind and bubbly, a talented high school basketball player, and a loving father and fiancé.

If anyone witnessed the incident or knew Collier, can you share details that might help explain how a verbal dispute escalated to such deadly violence?