Police: About 100 rounds fired at Antioch suspect

Nashville police officers fired about 100 rounds at a suspect who attacked three people in an Antioch theater on Wednesday, according to police officials.

Police officials believe SWAT officers fired about 60 shots inside the theater, where the suspect, Vincente Montano, repeatedly engaged them. Police spokesman Don Aaron said in an afternoon news conference Thursday that Montano pointed a gun at the officers and threw things at them, refusing officers' commands to stop.

Police said he was likely wounded inside the theater, but still refused officers' orders.

After Montano left the auditorium, he encountered police waiting outside. Montano had his hand under a backpack and a hatchet in his hand, leading police to believe he might be armed with an explosive, Aaron said.

At that time, police said, five officers fired about 40 additional shots and Montano was killed.

More details emerged Thursday about Montano's background, showing a man with a history of mental health illness. Police said they are working to determine what motivated the 29-year-old homeless man to attack a family at the theater with pepper spray and the hatchet. All three people injured in the attack were treated at the scene. Four other people in the theater at the time escaped uninjured.

Also Thursday, police said Montano had elements of an explosive device: a lighter, lighter fluid and a small propane canister.

Reach Stacey Barchenger at 615-726-8968 or on Twitter @sbarchenger.