Criminal Homicide Warrant Issued After Fatal Nashville Bar Fight
A man wanted in connection with the October death of an Atlanta resident following a violent confrontation outside a downtown Nashville bar is now in custody. Members of the Metro Nashville Police Department’s TITANS Unit arrested 37-year-old Keith A. King Jr. late Friday on an outstanding criminal homicide warrant. The arrest stems from an October 25 incident that left 45-year-old Torey Ward of Atlanta dead.
The fatal encounter began inside Big Shotz bar on 2nd Avenue North. Investigators determined that Ward’s girlfriend had an initial encounter with King while Ward was using the restroom. When Ward returned to the group, a verbal argument erupted between the men. Bar employees ordered the entire group to leave the establishment.
BREAKING: Members of our TITANS Unit, specializing in precision policing, late today arrested Keith A. King Jr., 37, on an outstanding criminal homicide warrant for the 10/25 death of Torey Ward, 45, of Atlanta. The 2 got into it inside Big Shotz bar on 2nd Ave N then took the… pic.twitter.com/zSIpF2Auxq
Confrontation Escalates Outside Big Shotz Bar
Once the groups spilled onto the sidewalk, the dispute turned physical. Witnesses reported that King punched Ward and placed him in a headlock. Bystanders attempted to intervene and urged King to stop, but investigators state he continued the physical restraint until Ward lost consciousness.
Officers responding to the scene found a bystander administering CPR to Ward. Emergency responders rushed him to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he was later pronounced dead. In the immediate aftermath of the altercation, police did not charge King while homicide detectives continued investigating and worked with prosecutors.
Suspect Claims Self-Defense After Police Arrest Him
The investigative phase shifted on Friday when the Metro Nashville Police Department secured the criminal homicide warrant and executed the arrest of King through their TITANS Unit.
During initial questioning, King maintained to investigators that he acted because he feared for his own safety during the altercation. The investigation into the incident is ongoing.
