A male employee of a company that makes plastic teeth aligners entered the building and opened fire, injuring three people, Metro Nashville Police Department representative Don Aaron said during a news conference Tuesday
The three victims were taken to a hospital. One of them was in critical condition. They were all identified as employees, according to reports.
After the burst of gunfire, Nashville police found a man -- identified as 22-year-old Antonio D. King -- in possession of a gun at an intersection. The officers asked King to drop the gun, but he pointed it at them.
Metropolitan Nashville Police Department said that officers Cherell Kinchloe and Dylan Ramos then fired their weapons and fatally wounded King, who was declared dead Tuesday morning at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.
The MNPD said King fired more than 20 shots, wounding two security guards and a manager. Authorities believe King was also wounded by their gunfire.
Body-strapped camera footage of the shooting provided by MNPD shows responding officers repeatedly ordering King to let go of his pistol -- a .45-caliber semi-automatic -- but were ignored.
While police did not disclose the motive for the shooting, they said King had at least two stints with Smile Direct Club as an employee. Police said he also worked for the company from 2019 to 2020.
According to a Tennessee Bureau of Investigation background check, the only smudge on King's record was a driving without a license violation in 2018. Court documents reveal the charge was later dismissed.
The Tennessee Bureau of Investigation (TBI) has launched an investigation because the incident involves a shooting by police.
It appears the gunman acted alone, authorities said. TBI confirmed special agents and forensic scientists were on the scene of the crime as of 8:30 a.m.
In a statement, Smile Direct said the safety of its employees is a top priority and they maintain strict security protocols. The company said they are working with the local authorities as they investigate the incident.
Metro Police said counseling for those involved in the incident will be provided.
Smile Direct, a start-up company headquartered in Nashville, is known mainly for working with orthodontists and dentists in the marketing and sale of clear plastic aligners on the internet as an alternative to traditional braces.
