Nashville homicide detectives are investigating a physical altercation outside a 2nd Avenue North bar that left a 45-year-old Atlanta man dead early Sunday, police said.
The fight broke out about 2:30 a.m. in downtown Nashville. Police identified the dead man as 45-year-old Torey Ward of Atlanta. Ward was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he died.
No charges have been filed against 37-year-old Keith King Jr. of Nashville, the other man in the fight, according to the Metro Nashville Police Department. Detectives said the investigation continues.
What detectives say led to the fight
Investigators said Ward’s girlfriend had an encounter inside the bar with King while Ward was in the bathroom. When Ward came out, he and King got into a verbal argument.
Bar staff asked the entire group to leave. Once outside, a physical altercation began between Ward and King, police said.
Based on witness accounts, detectives said it appears King punched Ward and held him in a chokehold. King told police he acted out of fear for his own safety.
Girlfriend reports she was hurt
Ward’s girlfriend told police she tried to step in during the fight outside. She said she had seen Ward hit King several times in the chest while the two were in the bar.
She said an unknown woman in King’s group of friends injured her as she tried to intervene, according to police.
Next steps
The Medical Examiner’s Office will determine Ward’s cause of death. Detectives will review their findings with the District Attorney’s Office.
Police have not said whether they have identified the woman who injured Ward’s girlfriend.
