Police seek man indicted in fatal nightclub shooting
By Kat Russell, Reporter
The Paducah Sun
April 27, 2016
http://www.paducahsun.com/news/local/042716_PS_Powell_Indictment
Paducah police are searching for one of three men indicted in the April 16 fatal shooting at the Brickhouse, a nightclub located at 901 Boyd St.
Denzell A. Powell, 23, Christopher L. Smith, 34, and Tracell D. Nunn, 27, were indicted on a charge of murder by a McCracken County grand jury.
Sheriff Jon Hayden said Smith was re-arrested Tuesday on the indictment warrant when he showed up for court on the original charge of wanton endangerment.
Police have not been able to locate Nunn.
Smith and Powell are being held at the McCracken County Jail. Powell's bond is set at $1 million, while Smith's is $1,510,000.
Smith and Nunn were also charged with attempted murder and convicted felon in possession of a handgun. Nunn also garnered a fourth charge for being a persistent felony offender.
The attempted murder charges stem from Smith and Nunn shooting at Powell with the intent to kill him, according to Friday's Grand Jury indictment.
Paducah police responded to the Brickhouse about 12:45 a.m. on April 16. When they arrived, officers said, they found Gary Johnson, 46, lying on the ground with an apparent gunshot wound. Johnson later died at Baptist Health Paducah.
Detectives said witnesses stated several people were shooting when Johnson was struck. Johnson was not involved in the shooting, but was standing in the line of fire, police said.
Detectives said they quickly set their sights on Powell as a suspect, and he was arrested several hours later on an unrelated warrant charging him with first-degree wanton endangerment.
While interviewing Powell, detectives said, he admitted to firing a handgun, but said he was shooting at two men who were shooting at him.
After Johnson died, the charge against Powell was upgraded to murder, police said.
The two other men, detectives said, were later identified as Smith and Nunn.
Smith was arrested on a warrant initially charging him with first-degree wanton endangerment, police said. He was later released on bond.
Anyone with information about Nunn's whereabouts can call the Paducah Police Department at 270-444-8550 or Crime Stoppers at 270-443-TELL.
Tipsters also may access the online tip form through the city of Paducah website at http://paducahky.gov/west-ky-crime-stoppers.
Information leading to an arrest or indictment may result in a reward of up to $1,000.
Denzell A. Powell, 23, Christopher L. Smith, 34, and Tracell D. Nunn, 27, were indicted on a charge of murder by a McCracken County grand jury.
Sheriff Jon Hayden said Smith was re-arrested Tuesday on the indictment warrant when he showed up for court on the original charge of wanton endangerment.
Police have not been able to locate Nunn.
Smith and Powell are being held at the McCracken County Jail. Powell's bond is set at $1 million, while Smith's is $1,510,000.
Smith and Nunn were also charged with attempted murder and convicted felon in possession of a handgun. Nunn also garnered a fourth charge for being a persistent felony offender.
The attempted murder charges stem from Smith and Nunn shooting at Powell with the intent to kill him, according to Friday's Grand Jury indictment.
Paducah police responded to the Brickhouse about 12:45 a.m. on April 16. When they arrived, officers said, they found Gary Johnson, 46, lying on the ground with an apparent gunshot wound. Johnson later died at Baptist Health Paducah.
Detectives said witnesses stated several people were shooting when Johnson was struck. Johnson was not involved in the shooting, but was standing in the line of fire, police said.
Detectives said they quickly set their sights on Powell as a suspect, and he was arrested several hours later on an unrelated warrant charging him with first-degree wanton endangerment.
While interviewing Powell, detectives said, he admitted to firing a handgun, but said he was shooting at two men who were shooting at him.
After Johnson died, the charge against Powell was upgraded to murder, police said.
The two other men, detectives said, were later identified as Smith and Nunn.
Smith was arrested on a warrant initially charging him with first-degree wanton endangerment, police said. He was later released on bond.
Anyone with information about Nunn's whereabouts can call the Paducah Police Department at 270-444-8550 or Crime Stoppers at 270-443-TELL.
Tipsters also may access the online tip form through the city of Paducah website at http://paducahky.gov/west-ky-crime-stoppers.
Information leading to an arrest or indictment may result in a reward of up to $1,000.
