Police arrest Donelson man after alleged knife threat toward runner at Stones River Greenway trailhead

Incident reported at Stones River Greenway Trailhead

A 30-year-old man was arrested this week after police say he threatened a runner with a knife at the Stones River Greenway Trailhead in Donelson. The case is being handled as an alleged aggravated assault involving a deadly weapon, a felony charge under Tennessee law.

Police were called to the trailhead on Monday morning after a report that a man was threatening people with a knife. Investigators documented the runner’s account in an arrest affidavit.

What police say happened

In the affidavit, the runner told officers he was stretching at the trailhead when a man wearing a hoodie approached and questioned what he was doing. The runner said he explained he was preparing to run. The suspect allegedly responded with a threat and displayed a knife pulled from his hoodie, prompting the runner to retreat to his vehicle.

The runner then warned others to stay away from the trailhead as police were contacted.

Search and arrest near a bridge

Officers searched the area and located a tent under a nearby bridge. Police reported that the suspect denied the allegation and said he had been asleep in the tent during the morning.

Officers later identified Reginald Williams, 30, as the suspect and took him into custody. Police wrote that the clothing Williams was wearing matched the victim’s description. A knife was not recovered during the search described in the affidavit.

Prior incident cited in booking decision

The affidavit also notes that officers reviewed Williams’ criminal history and referenced a 2024 incident involving an allegation that he pulled a knife on a WeGo bus driver. Police cited the similarity of the reported weapon and the victim’s description as factors supporting the arrest decision in this case.

• Charge: aggravated assault with a deadly weapon
• Location: Stones River Greenway Trailhead, Donelson
• Arrest location: tent area near the Stones River bridge

Custody status and next court date

Williams remained in jail following the arrest on a $15,000 bond. Court records tied to the booking indicated an initial court appearance was scheduled for Wednesday, February 11, 2026.

In Tennessee, an arrest reflects a finding of probable cause; charges are allegations and defendants are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.

Broader context: safety concerns on greenways

The incident comes amid heightened public attention to safety on Nashville’s greenways. Recent cases in the city have included knife-related allegations in public spaces, and Metro agencies have discussed measures such as increased patrol presence, lighting, and camera coverage in certain areas.