LPD to use surveillance footage to find suspects

By PATRICK HALL
The Wilson Post

Lebanon Police are hoping to review surveillance cameras located at the James E. Ward Agricultural Center to identify four suspects reportedly involved in a shooting that took place Saturday morning outside the fairgrounds.

Chief Scott Bowen said shortly after 12:30 a.m., Saturday, an altercation between a group of men as they left the fair led to gunfire and a man being grazed in the back by a bullet or a piece of shrapnel from a ricochet.

“There was some kind of altercation between the victim and four men, who were on foot and we think in the way of traffic,” Bowen said.

The police chief noted words were exchanged between the victim and suspects as they left the fairgrounds but when they reached West Baddour Parkway, Bowen said the victim stepped outside his vehicle and got into a second altercation with the men.

“One of the men in that group of four produced a handgun and fired about three shots,” he said.

While the shooting did not take place on the fairgrounds, Bowen indicated the group of suspects was reportedly seen at the fair earlier Friday night and they hoped to identify them using surveillance cameras the department has on site.

“We have numerous cameras there, about 17 surveillance cameras and hopefully we can review the tapes and find or identify the suspects,” the chief added.

Local authorities spend months planning for the fair and Bowen said they have many officers and Public Safety officers at the event to handle traffic situations and to work with the Wilson County Sheriff’s Department on security.

He said the shooting did not endanger any other fairgoers and did not take place at the fair, pointing out the second altercation during which shots were fired took place on West Baddour Parkway.

“We spend a lot of resources on the fair during these nine days,” he said. “We have many safety plans and response plans in place.”

Bowen urged all fairgoers to keep a level head and not to let “road rage” get the better of them. He said if an incident arises then citizens should call the police to let them handle it.

“If something is going on, if people are causing traffic problems or issues, pick up the phone and call the police,” Bowen said, adding, “Just take the high road. Nothing like this is worth getting shot and killed over.”

Staff Writer Patrick Hall may be contacted at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it .