Johnnie Lee Thompson, 81, died from a gunshot wound sustained inside his Claiborne Street apartment in Nashville on December 25, 2023. A 67-year-old friend was visiting when, according to the friend’s account to police, Thompson was showing a Derringer pistol and demonstrating its use. The firearm was reportedly dropped, discharged on impact, and a bullet struck Thompson in the chest.

Emergency services transported Thompson to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead. Early police work described the shooting as accidental, but the death remained officially unclassified pending autopsy results and the investigation was open at the time of initial reports.

Are there details from that evening anyone can share that might help clarify what happened?