1 dead, 1 in custody after Big Sandy shooting
BIG SANDY, Tenn. — A teenager was shot and killed Monday afternoon in the center of a rural West Tennessee town. Investigators said a heated argument lead to the shootout and drugs may be involved. “Nothing like that happens around here, especially in broad daylight,” resident Rebecca Hill said. “Especially the two young boys, it just didn’t have to happen.” A 19 year-old left dead and a 21 year-old is currently in custody after deputies said an argument in the parking lot of a gas station took a tragic turn. “Two vehicles pulled in at approximately the same time one right behind the other,” Benton County Sheriff Kenny Christopher said. “They were having some type of altercation.” Deputies said Michael Nuzzo got out of one of the cars and began punching George Burns Jr. through a window in the other car. That’s when investigators said Burns pulled out a hand-gun and shot Nuzzo in the chest. “From what we’re understanding from witnesses the shot was fired from inside the car and struck the victim,” Sheriff Christopher said. “The victim then fell between the two vehicles.” Officers said Nuzzo was later pronounced dead after being transported to Camden General Hospital. Burns was detained at the scene for questioning. “This time we’re leaning toward it was possibly something to do with a drug deal of some sort,” Christopher said. “But as of right now that has not been totally confirmed.” The afternoon shooting and the young loss of life has Big Sandy residents concerned. “It didn’t have to go that far, it just really didn’t have to go that far,” Hill said. “They could have tried to work it out, they didn’t have to have gun fight involved.” As the investigation continues into why the shooting happened deputies said these types of acts will not be tolerated. “When you have shootouts in the middle of town in broad open daylight other people could be walking around that could have been injured,” Sheriff Christopher said. The Big Sandy School was put on lock-down for a short time as a precaution Monday afternoon. No formal charges have been brought against Burns but the sheriff’s office and Big Sandy Police Dept. continue to investigate.
