Demarius Jarrard Scales, 39, was fatally shot on New Year’s Eve 2020 after intervening in a physical altercation in the 100 block of Charles Court in Nashville. The incident began around 2:10 p.m. when Scales stepped in to help a girl who was fighting with a 16-year-old boy, I’yendaye Byrd. An argument between Scales and Byrd escalated, and Byrd produced a handgun. Scales went home to get a firearm and returned to the scene, where shots were fired and he was mortally wounded.

Officers from the Metro Nashville Police Department took I’yendaye Byrd into custody shortly after the shooting and recovered the handgun allegedly used; that firearm was later reported stolen from Las Vegas. Byrd was charged with criminal homicide in connection with Scales’s death. Scales is described by loved ones as a dedicated father and a pillar of his community.

Does anyone have information about what led up to the altercation on Charles Court or witnessed the confrontation?