Metro Police officer identified, expected to be OK after shooting, police say

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - Metro Police have released the identity of the officer shot in Nashville on Thursday afternoon.

Police say officer Donovan Coble, 33, a four-year veteran with MNPD, was hospitalized with a gunshot wound to his side. Coble responded to the area of The Parking Spot due to reports of an armed man breaking into vehicles.

Metro Police spokesman Don Aaron said Coble is expected to be OK. As of Friday afternoon, he is no longer in critical condition and recovering at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, according to MNPD.

The 37-year-old suspect involved in the shooting, identified as Delama Casimir, of Pompano Beach, Florida, later engaged Metro Police SWAT officers behind a brush pile on Upshaw Drive and was shot in an exchange of gunfire. Police said Casimir died Thursday night at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

Police released a picture of the suspect connected to the shooting just before 3:30 p.m. A witness said the suspect was attempting to break into cars at The Parking Spot, a parking area near the Nashville International Airport, on Thursday afternoon. At one point, the witness said the man pulled a gun on the employee.

Police arrived and there was an exchange of gunfire between officers and the suspect near Donelson Pike, the witness said.

According to WSMV4 Investigates, Coble was part of the Partners in Care pilot project pairing police officers with mental health professionals in February 2022. In April, he was given the Department Commendation Award.

When Coble graduated from the police academy in 2019, he was honored with the Officer Michael Petrina Leadership Award.

On Tuesday, the Exchange Club of Donelson-Hermitage honored Coble as the Officer of the Year.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates.

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