NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — A man accused of following people around with a machete in the parking lot of a South Nashville business is now in custody facing felony charges.
According to court documents, the incident took place just before 8:30 p.m. on Monday, Aug. 12, near the intersection of Murfreesboro Pike and Thompson Lane.
The Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD) said officers were sent to the area after receiving reports that a man -- later identified as 43-year-old David Cole -- was following people around with a machete in the parking lot of a gas station and throwing merchandise at store employees.
Police said Cole was "sweating profusely" when they arrived on scene and was holding onto a machete. Cole was reportedly tased by officers, refused to follow commands and appeared to be "under the influence of a narcotic."
Further investigation revealed that Cole was involved in other incidents before he is accused of arriving to the gas station with the machete.
| READ MORE | Latest headlines from Nashville and Davidson County
In fact, police reported Cole was driving a maroon Chrysler van earlier that night, which crashed into utility poles along Thompson Place and nearly struck a civilian in the 1000 block of Murfreesboro Pike.
In addition, an arrest report states Cole made a call for service earlier that day telling dispatch that he had been shot near a gas station along Elm Hill Pike and was on his way to Summit Hospital to receive treatment. However, staff at the hospital told officers that they had no reports of a patient walking in with a gunshot wound.
Cole was booked into Metro Jail after his blood was drawn at Nashville General Hospital. He was charged with two counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, making a false report, aggravated reckless driving, leaving the scene of an accident, driving under the influence, resisting arrest, and failure to file a report of an accident.
The 43-year-old is being held in Metro Jail on a $84,000 bond.
