Elmer Allen Rea, a 41-year-old White man, was fatally shot on October 3, 2020, in Madison, Tennessee, a community in northern Davidson County. The shooting occurred during the early morning hours in the rear parking lot of the InTown Suites extended-stay hotel at 665 Myatt Drive. What began as a brief encounter outside the hotel ended in tragedy when an unidentified gunman approached Rea and opened fire. The shooting left his family devastated and investigators searching for answers about the person responsible for taking his life.
According to the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department, Rea was walking through the rear parking lot when a black four-door sedan approached him. Investigators reported that the gunman appeared to engage Rea in a brief verbal exchange before stepping out of the vehicle and shooting him. The attacker then returned to the sedan and fled the scene.
Authorities did not publicly disclose what was said during the encounter, whether Rea recognized the individual, or what circumstances led to the fatal confrontation. The sudden nature of the attack raised troubling questions about whether the shooting was planned or resulted from an unexpected dispute.
An especially heartbreaking detail surrounding the killing involves Rea's daughter, who reportedly witnessed her father's shooting. According to additional information provided by someone familiar with the case, his daughter was present when the violence occurred and was subsequently taken to the local homicide unit for an interview with investigators. This information has not been independently confirmed through publicly available police reports, and the substance of her interview has not been disclosed. Her reported presence adds an important dimension to the investigation because it indicates that someone close to Rea may have witnessed the events leading up to the shooting. It also underscores the devastating personal consequences of the crime, particularly for a child confronted with the violent loss of her father.
Following the shooting, detectives with the Metropolitan Nashville Police Department began investigating the circumstances surrounding Rea's death. Authorities initially faced the challenge of confirming his identity, which was eventually established through fingerprint comparison. On October 9, 2020, investigators publicly identified Rea and continued seeking information about the unidentified gunman. The black sedan reportedly used by the attacker became an important detail in the public appeal for assistance. Although the reported eyewitness account involving Rea's daughter may have provided investigators with additional information, authorities have not publicly revealed what she told detectives, whether she recognized the shooter, or whether her interview produced any specific investigative leads.
Rea was remembered by family members and friends as someone whose life was defined by much more than the circumstances of his death. Affectionately known as "Big Al" and "Huckleberry," he was described in memorial tributes as funny, vibrant, caring, and deeply devoted to his children. Loved ones recalled his sense of humor, his love of gardening, and the happiness he brought into their lives. Messages left by his children expressed profound grief, with one tribute describing him as a wonderful father and another reflecting a determination to discover who had taken his life. These deeply personal remembrances revealed the lasting emotional impact of the shooting on a family still searching for answers.
Despite the investigation and public appeals for information, no verified announcement of an arrest, criminal charges, prosecution, or conviction directly connected to Rea's murder could be established through available reporting. Investigators have not publicly identified the gunman, confirmed a motive, or explained whether the suspect and victim had a prior relationship. Authorities encouraged anyone with information about the shooting or the vehicle involved to contact Nashville Crime Stoppers at 615-742-7463. The reported eyewitness account involving Rea's daughter remains a significant detail, but without access to investigative records, it is unknown how her interview influenced the direction of the case.
The killing of Elmer Allen Rea remains a deeply troubling case marked by unanswered questions and the lasting grief of those closest to him. On October 3, 2020, a brief encounter in a Madison hotel parking lot ended with his death, while the person responsible escaped in a dark-colored sedan. The additional account that his daughter witnessed the shooting and was taken to the homicide unit for questioning makes the tragedy even more heartbreaking, highlighting both the possibility of firsthand witness information and the enormous emotional toll on his family. With no publicly confirmed suspect, arrest, or conviction, the circumstances surrounding the shooting remain unresolved in available reporting. For his loved ones, the pursuit of answers is not simply about identifying a gunman but about obtaining justice for a father whose life was taken far too soon.
