Metro Police rushed to get people to safety before an intentional bombing and vehicle explosion in downtown Nashville Christmas morning.
Officers responded to a shots fired call just a block away from Broadway at 5:30 a.m. when they spotted a suspicious RV parked outside 166 2nd Ave. North. Chief John Drake said the RV was making announcements warning that the bomb would detonate in 15 minutes and a bomb squad was called in.
Officers immediately began going door to door, evacuating apartments. Police also diverted one man who was walking his dog on 2nd Ave. just before the explosion occurred.
“We think lives were saved from these officers,” Aaron said.
The bomb squad was responding as the RV exploded at 6:30 a.m. outside the AT&T transmission building, Metro Police Spokesman Don Aaron said.
One officer in the area was knocked down and experienced hearing loss. Aaron says they are hoping that's only temporary.
FBI is leading the investigation into the intentional explosion which caused significant damages to buildings on 2nd Ave.
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The area remains sealed off by officers as the investigation continues.
This is a developing story. Check fox17.com for updates.