Armed man shot dead after attempted attack inside Nashville federal courthouse, police say

A man armed with a pistol was fatally shot at a security checkpoint Thursday inside a federal courthouse in Tennessee’s largest city, police said.

The man in his 40s was killed after he tried to fire his gun but failed, according to Don Aaron, spokesperson for Metro Nashville Police.

"The security individual fired on the armed individual," Aaron said, adding that the man was taken to a hospital where he was pronounced dead.

Police say a suspect was shot and killed during an attempted attack at the federal courthouse in Nashville on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026 (WVTV)

The man was believed to have been from out of state. No details were released about why he was at the courthouse. The library next door was closed as a result of the shooting.

Courthouse visitors must go through a security checkpoint.

"That's the entrance that most people in this courthouse use," First Assistant U.S. Attorney Rob McGuire said.

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  Law enforcement responds to a shooting at the federal courthouse in Nashville, Tenn. on Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026. (AP Photo/Kristin Hall)

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  Law enforcement responds to a shooting at the federal courthouse, Thursday, Oct. 8, 2026, in Nashville, Tenn. (AP Photo/Kristin Hall)

After the shooting, police officers with dogs were circling the perimeter and workers in nearby buildings were gathered on streets to watch the scene.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.