Person shot at Nashville federal courthouse in critical condition

A man in his 40s armed with a pistol and a knife was fatally shot by a security officer at the Fred D. Thompson U.S. Courthouse and Federal Building in Nashville on Oct. 8, 2026. He tried to fire the gun but failed, then pulled out a knife. Don Aaron said, "The security individual fired on the armed individual." The man was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead. He was believed to be from out of state. A search of his car found nothing threatening. No details were released about why he was at the courthouse. The courthouse includes offices of federal prosecutors and Tennessee's U.S. senators. Courthouse visitors must pass through a security checkpoint. Rob McGuire said, "That's the entrance that most people in this courthouse use." The Nashville Downtown Public Library next door was evacuated. Left-rated coverage led with one person shot, according to police. Right-rated coverage said the shooting left one person injured. Accounts drawn from police described a fatal shooting after the gun failed. Why the man was at the courthouse remains unreleased.