safety
Man charged with murder after shooting at people rummaging through his car, police say
By Cole Quinn, Jon Kipper at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate)
· July 18, 2026
· 2 min read
ST. LOUIS (First Alert 4/Gray News) - A St. Louis man is facing charges, including murder, after police said he shot at a group of people rummaging through his parked car.Timothy Kemper, 39, is charged with first-degree murder, first-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon and three counts of ar...
Key takeaway Timothy Kemper, 39, is charged with first-degree murder, first-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon and three counts of armed criminal action in the 22nd Judicial Circuit Court of St.
Why this matters in The Nashville
This incident in St. Louis has implications for Nashville residents who may face similar situations. In Tennessee, the law allows for the use of deadly force in self-defense, but only under certain circumstances, such as when there is a reasonable belief of imminent harm. The fact that Kemper's lawyer is arguing self-defense highlights the complexities of these laws and the need for clarity on when they can be applied. Nashville residents should be aware of their rights and responsibilities when it comes to defending their property, and the city's law enforcement and community leaders should consider providing education and resources on this topic. Additionally, the installation of crime cameras in the St. Louis neighborhood where the incident occurred may be something that Nashville's city leaders consider as a way to prevent and respond to similar crimes in the future.
About this story
Original reporting by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . The Nashville surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: safety ·
Published: July 18, 2026 ·
Source: WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) ·
Reading time: 2 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? ST. LOUIS (First Alert 4/Gray News) - A St. Louis man is facing charges, including murder, after police said he shot at a group of people rummaging through his parked car.Timothy Kemper, 39, is charged with first-degree murder, first-degree assault, unlawful use of a weapon and three counts of ar...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 18, 2026 by WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate) and curated for The Nashville readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Cole Quinn, Jon Kipper at WSMV 4 News (NBC affiliate). To learn more about how The Nashville selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more safety coverage from The Nashville, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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