Man charged after admittedly firing shots to celebrate divorce from wife

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WSMV) - A man is facing more than a dozen charges after he admittedly fired gunshots into the air, and then assaulted officers during his arrest on Monday.

According to the arrest affidavit, 26-year-old Juan Jose Vasquez, also known as Craig Jose Miller, was seen by multiple people firing shots in various directions near the corner of Commerce Street and Rep. John Lewis Way North just before 6 a.m. on Monday.

Officers with the Metro Nashville Police Department arrived at the scene and found Miller sitting at the corner of the intersection with a friend. After initially denying all allegations of gunfire, Miller later admitted that he had just divorced his wife, so he fired eight shots “as a celebration for regaining my freedom,” according to the affidavit.

The officers retrieved the eight bullet shells and spoke to witnesses who said they were standing right next to Miller he began firing shots, placing them in danger of bodily harm.

During the arrest, MNPD officers briefly shut down the intersection after receiving information that Miller’s backpack, which was still at the scene, contained bomb-making materials, according to police. A perimeter was established and the backpack was searched, which was deemed safe, the affidavit states.

The search of the backpack did produce stolen items believed to be tied to recent car break-ins at a nearby parking garage, including the gun he used the fire the alleged shots on Commerce Street, the officers reported. Miller was even wearing a parking garage pass from where the car thefts took place around his neck, like a necklace, according to the affidavit.

Miller was extremely combative with his arresting officers, police said. He kicked the patrol car doors from the inside and kicked one officer in the stomach while they were attempting to restrain him. At one point, the officers recalled Miller saying he was going to kill all of them.

He was booked later Monday morning and faces a slew of charges, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, reckless endangerment with a deadly weapon, theft of property, drug possession, and assaulting officers.