SWL Prostaffer Killed
Veteran SWL Prostaff member Chris Caris was shot dead during a Nashville restaurant robbery on October 26, 2007. An accomplished angler and promoter, his loss is mourned by friends and fellow Prostaff members. [More]

Please keep Chris and his family in your prayers.
Billy

Pizzeria killings not random

Police say one suspect had been fired by restaurant, insist that area is safe

By NATALIA MIELCZAREK
Staff Writer

The execution-style slayings of two pizzeria employees in a well-traveled, "safe'' area on White Bridge Road are the latest in a string of fatal shootings involving restaurant and market workers in Davidson County.

While police search for the killers of Bellacino's Pizza & Grinders manager Chris Caris, 33, and employee Joshua Cole, 18, they are assuring residents that the violence is not random and that residents should feel safe in traditionally low-crime areas of town.

"It's a very safe area, and as we have learned the suspected shooter … is a former employee,'' said Metro police spokesman Don Aaron.

Saturday, police announced they were looking for three men in connection with Friday's 10 p.m. slayings, which occurred while four employees and one customer were in the restaurant.

The shooting suspect is Jason S. Bobo, 21, of Memphis, who was terminated from the eatery in May, Aaron said. Police identified Bobo based on witness accounts and surveillance video from the restaurant, Aaron said.

According to witnesses, two men walked into the pizzeria and one of them approached the counter and asked about ordering a pizza before returning to his waiting partner.

As the sole customer walked up to the counter to check on an order, the two men produced handguns and ordered everyone to get on the floor. Then the men ordered Caris to get money from the office, Aaron said.

"The surveillance video clearly shows that these two young men were executed," Aaron said.

"There was absolutely no provocation whatsoever for harming them. At this time in the investigation, we believe that the robbery was the primary motive."

Police could not say with certainty why the other two employees and the customer were unharmed as the killers fled, dropping money along the way.

Mourners visit store

While police look for the three suspects, Dwight Cole, Joshua Cole's grandfather —
or "Big Pa" — tries to stay strong.

"This is a crime committed by the scumbag of this earth against a person who could have contributed to the ball of earth we're on," Cole said, his voice breaking, his eyes welling with tears.

"Joshua was real good at school. He wanted to be that person who's a good employee.''

The grandfather referred to the suspects as "things,'' while acknowledging that it was unkind for him to do that.

The pizzeria was closed Saturday.

A sign asking customers to "please pray'' for the victims was taped to the door. A framed picture of Joshua sat on the pavement near the entrance, surrounded by burning candles and roses.

People, many of them teenagers, visited the restaurant throughout the afternoon to leave more flowers. Some cried while others just stood in silent grief.

Joining the mourners was Susanne Frensley, an art history teacher at Hillsboro High School, where Joshua Cole graduated in May. He took Frensley's Advanced Placement art history class, she said.

"He was a neat kid, a really good kid," said Frensley, her eyes red from crying. "He had a big heart. This is a real wake-up call for Nashville.''

Two roses and a handwritten letter were stuck behind windshield wipers of an SUV parked in a parking lot in front of the store. The note was addressed to Chris Caris.

"We love you and you will always and forever be in our hearts," the letter read.

Neighbor is afraid

Melissa Ousley, the manager of Pier 1 store next door, chatted with those who stopped by the restaurant. She admitted being afraid.

"It's this feeling of being unsafe when we're here at night," she said. "Paranoia right now is a good word. You feel like it could happen anywhere."