FRANKLIN, Tenn. (WKRN) — A homicide investigation is underway after a man was shot in a Franklin neighborhood Tuesday evening.
The Franklin Police Department (FPD) said officers were sent to the area of Valor Court at approximately 6:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Feb. 11 for a shots fired call.
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When officers arrived, they reportedly found a man on the ground who had been shot. Police reported the victim — identified as 32-year-old Lattarius Johnson of Franklin — was rushed to a local hospital, but was later pronounced dead.
According to the FPD, detectives are following up on leads, adding that the shooting appears to be an "isolated incident."
Retired Franklin Police Lieutenant Charlie Warner said violent crimes like these are rare in the city. Tuesday's incident marked Franklin's first homicide in 2025, following just one homicide in 2024.
"In the 25 years that I was with the department, we have ever in the history of the Franklin Police Department had one unsolved homicide," Warner said. "So, I think that our track record for being able to identify and arrest a suspect in crimes like this, violent crimes against other members of our community is extraordinary and I have no doubt that the men and women at the department are working tirelessly to make sure that happens."
Madison Lapides, a childhood friend of Johnson, told News 2 she was shocked to learn about her friend's passing and she has growing concerns over gun violence across the area.
"He was just always the life of the party, always smiling wherever he went, even when people cracked jokes at his expense, he was laughing," Lapides said. "Gun violence has gotten so rampant and you never would think that it would happen to somebody that you knew, much less put into perspective how fragile life is, considering he just posted on Facebook yesterday."
Anyone with information about the incident is asked to call the FPD at 615-794-2513. Anonymous tips can also be reported to Crime Stoppers of Williamson County by calling 615-794-4000 or by following this link.
A reward of up to $1,000 is being offered for information leading to an arrest. No additional details were immediately released.