Metro police are searching for a man who they say brutally killed another man with a hatchet and another "cutting instrument" at a strip mall in Belle Meade on Monday morning.
A Metro Nashville dispatcher said the man was attacked about 7 a.m. at a fitness business at 5133 Harding Pike.
Police said the attack left a male employee at The Balance Training dead and investigators were looking for Domenic Micheli, 36, in relation to the attack.
Police identified the victim as Joel Paavola, 46, who ran The Balance Training location. Paavola is reported to have fired Micheli about 14 months ago, police said.
"Just a senseless, brutal, violent attack this morning on Mr. Paavola as he was there in the business," Metro Nashville Police Department spokesman Don Aaron said.
Video surveillance shows Micheli pacing in a parking garage below the commercial center prior to the alleged attack, according to Aaron. Micheli was driving an older model Toyota Yaris, possibly silver, according to police.
Micheli was reportedly armed with at least one hatchet and another instrument such as another hatchet or large knife, Aaron said.
A murder warrant was being drafted late Monday morning.
Nashville restaurateur Randy Rayburn was trained by Paavola for a few years at another gym. Rayburn said he was heartbroken to hear the news on Monday morning.
Paavola was regarded as a fitness guru, and gave speeches about healthy lifestyle choices at Harpeth Hall and for other groups.
The Balance Training facility where police said theBuy Photo
The Balance Training facility where police said the manager was killed on June 4, 2018.. (Photo: Andy Humbles/The Tennessean)
“I went through boot camp twice with Joel. He was one of the nicest, most dedicated human beings,” Rayburn said. “Joel was one of the most enthusiastic and well-rounded people I’ve ever known in my life. I worked out with him for a couple years (at another gym). He was just a wonderful father and human being.”
A Facebook page under Domenic Micheli's name includes at least one reference to himself as the "Sun of God."
A post from June 1 reads:
"I've sensed there has been some
Confusion about things recently
Amongst the people.
Some people, even the strong faithful
Have indeed waivered in their belief of
Me as being the Sun of God
And their leader.
They say, this is a fine mess he has made
Of things."
Police said the area near The Balance Training was not on lockdown Monday morning. Customers were still coming and going at nearby businesses such as Le Peep restaurant. The Temple, a Jewish congregation a half mile from the gym, locked their front door.
"Several called to check on us and the the first initial reaction is 'I can't believe that happened right there in Belle Meade because nothing ever happens like that where you guys are located," said Kevin Brown, co-owner of Music City Golf, a store in the same shopping center.
Several nearby facilities are also on lock down including The Temple on Harding Road. The building typically closes at 5 p.m. but as a result of the killing, a spokeswoman said it is closing its doors today at 3 p.m.
The Gordon Jewish Community Center says they are not on lock down but have heightened security, said Leslie Sax, the JCC's executive director.
The Children's Center at Belle Meade United Methodist Church a mile up the road from The Balance Training put their program on lockdown.
Harding Academy briefly put their summer camps on lock down, but police told them it was OK to resume activities.
Belle Meade, which lies within Nashville, is known for being a safe place with an active local police presence. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated in 2017 that fewer than 3,000 people lived in the city.
But the affluent town had two prominent murder cases in 2016.
This is a developing story, return for updates.
Nate Rau contributed to this report. Reach Natalie Neysa Alund at nalund@tennessean.com and follow her on Twitter @nataliealund.
