Suspect arrested after two men were shot on Lafayette Street; police continue search for second suspect

Arrest follows August 2025 sidewalk shooting that sent two men to hospitals

A man has been arrested and jailed in connection with an August 2025 shooting on Lafayette Street that left two men with gunshot wounds, while investigators continue to pursue a second suspect believed to have participated in the attack.

The shooting occurred on August 2, 2025, and injured two men after what police described as a brief interaction on a sidewalk. The victims, identified by age as 29 and 39, were each treated at area hospitals for single gunshot wounds. One man was struck in the leg and taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center by private vehicle. The other was hit in the foot and taken to Centennial Hospital by private vehicle.

Who was arrested and what charges were filed

Police arrested Jessie Knowles, who was identified as one of the shooters captured on surveillance footage approaching the victims before shots were fired. Knowles was booked on a $190,000 bond.

Authorities said Knowles faces two counts of aggravated assault, reckless endangerment and being a felon in possession of a weapon. Police also reported additional gun- and drug-related offenses tied to the circumstances of his arrest.

• Case type: non-fatal shooting with two injured victims
• Location: Lafayette Street area, Nashville
• Status: one suspect jailed; second suspect outstanding

What police say happened during the arrest

Investigators reported that Knowles fled from detectives during the arrest. Police said marijuana and a stolen pistol were recovered from his backpack. Authorities also stated the recovered firearm matched the gun used in the August 2 shooting.

The investigation remains active, with efforts continuing to locate and arrest the second suspected shooter.

Developments in the wider case: second suspect later taken into custody

In a subsequent development announced months later, police arrested a second suspect, Marcus Taylor, in January 2026. Taylor was charged with reckless endangerment and two counts of aggravated assault and was held on a $220,000 bond.

The arrests mark a shift from an open-ended search to a case moving deeper into the court system, where evidence such as surveillance video, ballistic comparisons, and the circumstances of each defendant’s alleged involvement are expected to be tested through hearings and filings.