On the afternoon of December 20, 2016, a shootout outside a relative’s house on Duke Street in Nashville’s Talbot’s Corner neighborhood left two men dead. Mahri Hawkins, 29, and Donnie McFarland, 34, were exchanging gunfire with occupants of a white Kia Optima that had pulled up; both Hawkins and McFarland were armed. McFarland was found dead at the scene. Hawkins was critically injured, taken to a hospital, and later died of his wounds. The Kia fled and was later found abandoned.

News reports at the time said a gunman later claimed self-defense, but those reports did not identify who made that claim or provide further detail.

If anyone knew the victims, the Kia, or saw activity on Duke Street that afternoon, please share what was seen or heard.