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Search continues for ‘cold-blooded killers’ in Nashville

The suspects, referred to as "cold-blooded killers" by Metro police, remain at large.
Bartley Brandon Teal Jaime Sarrantonio Kendall Rice

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WKRN) – Metro Police say “strong leads are being actively pursued” in three murders last week that may be related. 

Chief Steve Anderson held a briefing with investigators Monday morning. 

The search for two suspects in a string of shootings continues after two men and a woman were shot and killed in Nashville last week. 

The suspects, referred to as “cold-blooded killers” by Metro police, remain at large. 

Bartley “Brandon” Teal, 33, and Jaime Sarrantonio, 30, were killed around 3:30 a.m. in the parking lot of Cobra on Gallatin Avenue.   

Police said the victims left the bar around 3 a.m. on foot and walked to a nearby convenience store to buy some snacks.  

Detectives believe the gunmen were randomly looking for robbery victims and targeted the victims when they returned to the parking lot at Cobra.  

Witnesses reported the murderers demanded Teal’s belongings and then shot him when he said he didn’t have anything. Sarrantonio was also shot.  

Teal was taken to Vanderbilt University Medical Center where he died during surgery. Sarrantonio, 30, was taken to TriStar Skyline Medical Center where she died a short time later.  

Police spokesman, Don Aaron, called their deaths, “two senseless cold-blooded homicides.” 

Two other people who were with Teal and Sarrantonio were not hurt.  

MORE: Band members speak out after East Nashville shooting

The suspects were last seen fleeing the scene in a small, dark-colored Chevrolet.   

Police said after the shooting the gunmen fled to North Nashville and dumped the victims’ belongings in an alley off 23rd Avenue and Heiman Street.   

Police recovered the belongings in garbage cans and in a nearby wooded area. Police believe the suspects have knowledge of the area. 

One of the suspects is described as a black man with shoulder-length dread locks. A description of the second suspect was not immediately released. 

Police are urging the community to be on the lookout for the small Chevrolet. 

“We know Nashville neighborhoods want to help us get these two killers off the streets,” Aaron said. 

Sarrantonio worked as a senior account manager for Aloompa for the last two years. 

In a statement her workplace said, “We are heartbroken over the the loss of our dear friend and team member. Jaime Sarrantonio was loved by everyone at Aloompa and by the many clients she worked with on our behalf over the years.  She had a tremendously positive impact on everyone she spent time with. Our thoughts and deepest sympathies go out to her family and friends at this time.  We will all miss Jaime and her compassionate and joyful presence.” 

A GoFundMe account has been set up to help Teal’s family with funeral expenses. Click here to donate.

Police said the double murder has similarities to Tuesday morning’s fatal shooting of Kendall Rice. The 31-year-old was killed during an apparent robbery while walking on Alta Loma Road to catch a bus to go to work.  

Rice worked for Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Parking and transportation services. The hospital released a statement on his tragic death. 

We were shocked and saddened to learn of Mr. Rice’s untimely death. He was a valued member of the Vanderbilt University Medical Center community and our thoughts are with his family at this time, said John Howser, Chief Communications Officer, VUMC.

The suspects also match the description of two men who shot a woman while walking her dogs in Inglewood on Aug. 8. 

Anyone with information is urged to call Crime Stoppers at 615-74-CRIME.   

News 2 tracks crime in your neighborhood. Click here for more coverage.

We are tracking homicides in Metro Nashville. Click here for 2018 Homicide Map

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