West Nashville U-Haul Workplace Shooting: Suspect Confesses After Ambushing 56-Year-Old Coworker Over a Drink
The details surrounding the fatal shooting of 56-year-old Fredrick Lytton at a West Nashville U-Haul facility on Annex Avenue have laid bare a senseless act of workplace violence. Following an intensive manhunt by the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, the suspect—identified as 23-year-old Devin A. Rice—was tracked down and taken into custody the morning after the attack. During a formal police interview and interrogation at headquarters, Rice confessed directly to detectives, confirming the chilling sequence of events that left a longtime employee dead over a minor dispute about a beverage.
According to police investigative disclosures and Rice’s own admissions during questioning, the confrontation began as a verbal argument between the two coworkers regarding a drink. When the disagreement escalated, Lytton chose to disengage, turning his back and walking away to return to his normal workstation, believing the altercation had concluded. Instead, Rice quietly stalked him from behind, drew a handgun, and opened fire, discharging multiple rounds directly into Lytton’s back. After emptying his weapon, Rice calmly put the firearm away, picked up his personal bag, and fled the facility before emergency responders arrived.
First responders who rushed to the Annex Avenue business discovered Lytton unresponsive with multiple severe gunshot wounds. Emergency medical aid was rendered at the scene before he was rushed to Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he ultimately succumbed to his injuries and was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Following his swift apprehension and subsequent confession, authorities formally booked Rice and charged him with criminal homicide. Corporate representatives for U-Haul expressed deep sorrow over the tragedy while reiterating that company policy strictly prohibits employees from carrying firearms on premises, as the local community continues to grapple with the shocking escalation of workplace violence.
