Woman dead after stabbing near bus stop in South Nashville

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) — Authorities have arrested a man after a woman was killed in a stabbing incident at a South Nashville WeGo bus stop early Friday morning.

Medics were reportedly called to a bus stop near the intersection of Harding Place and Antioch Pike around 5:15 a.m. on Friday, Nov. 15.

According to the Metro Nashville Police Department (MNPD), a preliminary investigation indicates that 42-year-old Roy Lomax Gardner sat next to the woman, later identified as 38-year-old Jamesha L. Jackson, on a bench at the bus stop.

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Surveillance video in the area reportedly showed both Gardner and Jackson get up from the bench as the bus pulled up to the stop at approximately 5:15 a.m. Friday morning.

However, as Jackson gathered her belongings and started to approach the bus, Gardner suddenly began stabbing her, police said.

Authorities reported Jackson began to scream, which caught the attention of people who were in the parking lot of a nearby convenience market. The witnesses allegedly ran to the bus stop, restrained Gardner and held him there until law enforcement arrived.

Meanwhile, Jackson was rushed to Vanderbilt University Medical Center (VUMC) where she died shortly after arriving, according to MNPD.

Police said Gardner was injured during the citizen arrest and was admitted to VUMC to be treated. He is reportedly being guarded by police at the hospital and will be taken to jail and booked on a criminal homicide charge upon his release.

As of this writing, detectives have not been able to speak with Gardner. His motive for the deadly attack remains unknown.

Officials reported Gardner was carrying a Florida ID that was issued in April 2024 and listed an address in North Forth Myers, adding that he has arrest histories in Florida, Georgia and Alabama. It remains unclear when he arrived in Nashville.

WeGo released two separate statements about the incident, which read:

A WeGo bus Operator witnessed a criminal incident happening on the street at Harding Place and Antioch Pike this morning. He stopped the bus to report the incident. The WeGo bus was not involved in the incident itself. We are assisting MNPD with their investigation.

WeGo spokesperson

WeGo management and staff are saddened by today’s tragic incident at a Harding Place bus stop.  Our thoughts are with the victim.  We are assisting the MNPD in its continuing investigation and emphasize that the safety of our passengers and employees is paramount.

WeGo spokesperson

No additional information was immediately released.